Vincent de Paul was born to a poor peasant family in the French village of Pouy on April 24, 1581. He was so proficent at his studies that he was hired to tutor the children of a nearby wealthy family. The money he earned enabled him to attend the University of Toulose where he studied for the priesthood and was ordained in 1600.
Five years later, while on a ship traveling from Marseilles to Narbone, he was captured and brought to Tunis. He was sold as a slave, but escaped after two years with his master, whom he had converted.
Upon returning, Vincent continued his studies in Rome. He became a chaplain to the Count of Goigny and was placed in charge of distributing money to the poor. During this time he founded the Congregation of the Mission, or the Vincentians. These priests, with vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and stability, were to devote themselves entirely to the people in smaller towns and villages.
Later, Vincent established confraternities of charity for the spiritual and physical relief of the poor and sick of each parish. From these, with the help of Saint Louise de Marillac, came the Daughters of Charity. He organized the rich women of Paris to collect funds for his missionary projects, founded several hospitals, collected relief funds for the victims of war, and ransomed over 1,200 galley slaves from North Africa. He was zealous in conducting retreats for clergy at a time when there was great laxity, abuse, and ignorance among them. He was a pioneer in clerical training and was instrumental in establishing seminaries.
Vincent was by nature a very irascible person. He would say that except for the grace of God he would have been “hard and repulsive, rough and cross.” However, he became a tender and affectionate man, very sensitive to the needs and troubles of others. After his death at 80, he was referred to as "The Apostle of Charity" and "The Father of the Poor".
This print is part of the "Happy Saint" collection by Anna Morelli.
The image is professionally printed, hand-signed by the artist, and comes enclosed in a plastic sleeve to ensure protection.
Saint Vincent de Paul
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