St Vincent de Paul

Vincent de Paul was born on a farm near the small town of Gascony in Southern France.  His parents were poor but we able to send him to school where he was taught by Franciscan priests. He went to university in Toulouse, France to study about God.  When he was finished, he was ordained a priest.
One day, he was hearing the confession of a poor man who was dying.  God used that experience to open Vincent’s eyes to the needs of the poor.  From that time on, he devoted his life to caring for poor people.
He started many charities to help poor people.  Some included taking care of criminals, opening hospitals for children who did not have parents and for old people, and sending missionaries to many different countries. He also started the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity (Blessed Mother Theresa’s religious order).
Vincent de Paul never took any praise for helping the poor.  He always knew it was God who worked through him to make these good things happen.  He died in Paris on September 27, 1660.