Vincent de Paul

(1581-1660)

   cleric, saint

   The founder of the charitable Congregation of the Missions, known also as the Vincentians or the order of the Lazarists, Vincent de Paul was born in Pouy (now saint-Vincent de Paul) in Gascogny. He studied at the Universities of Dax and Toulouse and, in 1665, was captured and held as a slave by the Barbary pirates. upon his release, he served as a priest among the poor of Paris and became almoner to marguerite of valois (1610), pastor of the parish of Clichy (1611), and tutor to the children of Emmanuel de Gondi (1613). He then began his charitable missions, preaching among the poor and, in 1617 at Châtillon-des-Dombes, organized the first Confraternity of Charity, from which developed the Daughters of Charity, to be led by louise de marillac (1633). Chaplain general of the galleys in France (1619), superior of the Order of the Visitation (see jeanne de chantal), in 1624 he organized rural missions, developed other charitable institutions (charité de l'Hôtel-Dieu, 1634; œuvre des Enfants trouvés, 1638) and, during the regency of anne of Austria, was made a member of the Conseil de conscience (1643-52), in which capacity he strongly influenced episcopal nominations, and, with his opposition to jansenism, it is believed, was responsible in part for its suppression. He was canonized in 1737 and his Correspondence was published in 1920-25.