Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands! (Ps 90:14,17b)
St. Vincent was born in Pouy, Landes, Gascony, France, to a family of peasant farmers. He had four brothers and two sisters.
He was ordained in 1600.
In 1605, on his way back from Marseille, he was taken captive by Turkish pirates, who brought him to Tunis and sold him into slavery. After converting his owner to Christianity, Vincent de Paul escaped in 1607.
After returning to France, de Paul went to Rome.
In 1625 he founded the Congregation of the Mission, a society of missionary priests commonly known as the Vincentians or Lazarists.
In 1633, with the assistance of Louise de Marillac he founded the Daughters of Charity.
De Paul was renowned for his compassion, humility and generosity and has become known as the “Great Apostle of Charity”.
God definitely prospered the work of Vincent de Paul’s hands!
FAITH ACTION: Help someone in need today or make a contribution to a St. Vincent de Paul group in your area, or a soup kitchen, or some other organization that helps the poor.