Today, September 27, is the memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul.
Founder of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) and the Daughters of Charity.
Vincent was born in 1581 to farmers Jean and Bertrande de Paul. Even as a child, Vincent demonstrated high intelligence. Jean was so impressed he sent the 15-year old Vincent to the seminary. The father did so by selling their oxen.
By the late 1890s, Vincent was already taking Theology studies at the University of Toulouse. He later received his Licentiate in Canon Law from the University of Paris.
He was taken captive by Turkish pirates to Tunis, and sold into slavery. He was freed in 1607 when he brought one of his owners back to Christianity.
He returned to France and served as parish priest near Paris where he started organizations to help the poor, nursed the sick, and found jobs for the unemployed. He also served as chaplain at the court of Henry IV of France.
With St. Louise de Marillac, he founded the Daughters of Charity. He instituted the Congregation of the Mission. Vincent dedicated himself to the poor, the enslaved, the abandoned, the ignored, and the pariahs.
Vincent died in 1660 at age 79. Servant of God Pope Benedict XIII beatified Vincent in 1729. Pope Clement XII canonized him in 1737.