St Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent was born in 1581 in France. He was a priest who dedicated himself to evangelising the poor, the unfortunate, and the suffering. He founded the Congregation of the Mission, known as the Vincentians.

Together with Louise de Marillac, he founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity. His life remained deeply rooted in humility in spite of his worldwide fame. He died in 1660.

St.Vincent's genius was to spot and recognise real and urgent needs and to lead and inspire others to respond to the them. He organised hospitals for the sick poor, founded institutions for abandoned children, opened soup kitchens, created job training programmes, taught young women to read, improved prison conditions, and organised countless local charities in the villages throughout France. He encouraged all who shared his vision to do something, not to remain passive in face of the suffering and misery of others.

In the 19th century, Frederic Ozanam was inspired by the life and work of Vincent. He founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the SVP.