French diocesan priest who founded the Congregation of the Mission (C.M.) and the Daughters of Charity (D.C.). He is the Church's universal patron of organized charities. He originally founded the Congregation of the Mission to evangelize the poor country people through the work of the Parish Mission and the training of diocesan clergy.

Through his dedication to work for the service of the poor, he organized the Daughters of Charity for the care of the needy and the orphaned children in Paris. This is one reason he is often pictured with children. Since he is the universal patron of organized charities, his patronage name has been given to Frederic Ozanam's Saint Vincent de Paul Society, usually organized for the care of the poor in parishes. Saint Vincent was canonized June 16, 1737.

The painting to the left of the altar features Saint Vincent and the galley slaves.

Saint Vincent and the galley slaves shows his service as chaplain to these poor prisoners. Saint Vincent's love for them went so far as to offer to take the place of one of the slaves who was being beaten. Vincent unsuccessfully tried to have this punishment abolished.

Return to the beginning of this page.

Saint Vincent distributes the Common Rules to the Priests of the Mission after thirty-three years of living common life with the priests and brothers. They are practical and serve the basis of the rule of life even today.

Return to the beginning of this page.