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I have been a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for 25 years. Although I am not nearly as active as I used to be, being part of this organization has allowed me to interact and work with the least and most marginalized of God’s people. My affiliation with the society has allowed me to experience some of the most uplifting moments of my life.
Those who reached out to us were always in dire straits. They had no food, had been evicted, could not pay for life-saving medication, had no water, had no gas or electricity, or were lacking some other necessity of life. There were even those who had no shoes. Somehow, we always managed to help anyone who came to us. If we did not have the capabilities, we were able to forward them to a place that could.
I mention those things because it all goes back to the example and inspiration displayed by one man, St. Vincent de Paul. We just celebrated his feast day on September 27, and here are a few things you may not have known about this great saint.
1. St. Vincent did NOT found the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
It was named in his honor by Frederick Ozanam, the 20-year-old student who modeled the society after St. Vincent’s works and teachings.
2. St. Vincent de Paul was captured by pirates and sold into slavery.
Vincent had been notified of an inheritance he had received from an elderly woman who knew him. He was desperate for money and had made the journey to Bordeaux to claim the estate. Disappointed that the inheritance was mostly needed to satisfy a debt, Vincent headed back to Toulouse. The ship he had taken was attacked by pirates and most of the crew was killed or wounded, including the captain. Vincent and the other passengers were taken in chains and sold into slavery and taken to Tunis. Vincent remained a slave for two years before escaping with another and making it back to France.
3. Vincent could have been a “community organizer.”
Upon returning to France he was working in a church in the country. The area was so poor many people actually died from starvation. Vincent was horrified and began contacting old friends, many of whom were wealthy, asking for help. He formed groups and they went from house to house seeking clothing, food, and furniture. They were so successful that word spread and other parishes asked to be taught how to organize such efforts. Vincent’s organizational skills began being emulated all over France.
4. Vincent de Paul was the founder of a religious order called the Vincentians.
Under Vincent’s rule, those who entered ministry pledged to devote their lives to the spiritual and material needs of the poor. Later on, Vincent, along with Louise de Marillac, founded the Sisters of Charity. The work started by Vincent de Paul expanded to opening hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the mentally ill. His work also included serving prisoners and slaves.
Vincent de Paul died on September 27, 1660. He was canonized a saint on August 13, 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII.
It is not sufficient for me to love God if I do not love my neighbor. I belong to God and to the poor.” –St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul, please pray for us.
