Inbox Inspiration: October 30, 2019: Saint Vincent de Paul

Saint Vincent de Paul

Dear Friends, 
Ever since I was a child, I heard of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
It was and is a group men and women who assist those in need – especially by providing food and clothing.
The origin of this is with a man named Vincent de Paul (de Paul was his family name) who was born in 1580 in France.
Vincent became a priest and eventually realized his calling to care for persons who were lacking even the basics for life.
He founded a religious institute of priests called the Congregation of the Mission or the Vincentians.
Their mission was to bring the faith to the poor peasants in France.
With Louise de Marillac (more about her next week), Vincent founded an institute of vowed, religious women called the Daughters of Charity.
Their mission was to care for the sick and the poor.
Additionally, Vincent also set up some “conferences” or associations of lay people to care for the poor.
Then, in the nineteenth century, long after Vincent’s death in 1660, his vision led to the establishment of Saint Vincent de Paul Conferences in many parishes.
Today these Conferences are active in 140 countries.
Vincent de Paul was canonized a saint in 1737.
He inspires us to assist those in need with whatever we are able to provide.
Vincent de Paul’s feast day is September 27 in the Catholic calendar.

“Since Christ willed to be born poor, he chose for himself disciples who were poor. He made himself the servant of the poor and shared their poverty. He went so far as to say that he would consider every deed which either helps or harms the poor as done for or against himself. Since God surely loves the poor, he also loves those who love the poor. For when one person holds another dear, he also includes in his affection anyone who loves or serves the one he loves.”
From Epist.2546: Correspondence, entretiens, documents of Saint Vincent de Paul. 

“All you holy men and women, Saints of God, pray for us.” 
Father Michael Schleupner