Saints Library · Seeking Solace
St. Vincent de Paul
Patron of Charitable Societies, Hospitals, Prisoners and Others
Life and historical setting
Vincent de Paul (1581–1660) is remembered in the Church as patron of Charitable Societies, Hospitals, Prisoners and Others. The supplied Catholic source associates this life with Saint-Vincent-de-Paul.
Documented offices and forms of service associated with Vincent de Paul include Catholic priest, priest, founder of Catholic religious community. The religious family connected with this vocation is Congregation of the Mission.
Vincent de Paul was ordained ae the early age of 19 and worked as a chaplain to the Queen. The founding of the Congregation of the Mission to bring the Word of God to the poor in rural areas became part of Vincent de Paul's lasting work.
The founding of hospitals became part of Vincent de Paul's lasting work. Vincent de Paul served as a parish priest and in the French royal court before dedicating himself to the poor, founding the Ladies.
The enduring witness of Vincent de Paul is especially connected with gospel encounter and discipleship, prayer and contemplation, and religious life and community. Dates, offices, and institutions are presented as biographical facts, while later devotional interpretation is kept distinct from the historical outline.
Vocation and witness
These themes were identified from the supplied source record and provide a structured guide to the life.
Gospel encounter and discipleship
The supplied account connects this life directly with Christ, the Gospel, or the apostolic witness.
Prayer and contemplation
Prayer, contemplation, or a disciplined interior life is a significant part of the recorded witness.
Religious life and community
Consecrated life, community discipline, or the building of a religious family shapes this witness.
Founding and renewal
The source associates this life with founding, restoring, or strengthening a Christian work or community.
Faithful endurance
The source presents holiness sustained through prayer, trust, and faithful endurance.
Spiritual legacy
The enduring witness of Vincent de Paul is especially connected with gospel encounter and discipleship, prayer and contemplation, and religious life and community. Dates, offices, and institutions are presented as biographical facts, while later devotional interpretation is kept distinct from the historical outline.
Prayerful reflection
God of holiness, through the witness of Vincent de Paul, strengthen us in steadfast prayer, trust in God, and hope during sorrow or uncertainty. Keep our attention fixed on Jesus Christ, and teach us to answer grace faithfully in the duties, relationships, and needs placed before us. Amen.
Historical and liturgical note
Current Vatican News calendar listing; local and religious calendars may add other observances.
Dates, offices, and institutions are presented as biographical facts, while later devotional interpretation is kept distinct from the historical outline.