St. Vincent de Paul, Priest: 1580-1660 A.D.

Birth, family background and education

Vincent was born at Pouy, France, on 24 April 1580 A.D., to Jean de Paul and Bertrande de Moras. Vincent's parents were French peasants. Even despite their poverty, his parents recognized much potential in Vincent. They were determined to give him a good education. The third of six children, Vincent's parents had him educated at the college of the Franciscans at Dax and then at the University of Toulouse, until he was ordained at the early age of twenty.

Early life as a priest

By Vincent's own account, his ambition as a young priest was to be comfortably well off. He became the tutor of the children of the Count de Joigny, and one of the chaplains of Queen Margaret of Valois - from whom he received the income of a small abbey. In the following years, his work with the poor and his preaching attracted widespread attention.

A turning point in his life

In 1617 A.D., Vincent became the parish priest of Chatillon-les-Tombes. When he heard the confession of a sick and poor farmer, he found that some of the masters of these poor people did not care or provide for them. This deeply affected him and led to his conversion to turn to care for the poor.

His influence attracts attention

In the years that followed, St. Vincent's sermons and work with the poor attracted attention - and imitation. He became the ecclesiastical superior of the Visitation nuns after he met St. Francis de Sales in 1618 A.D. His service to God and the Church touched and inspired all kinds of peoples - rich and poor, galley slaves, princes and peasants.

Founding the Vincentians and the Sisters of Charity

In 1625 A.D., with the help of his former patron, the Count de Joigny, St. Vincent founded the Congregation of the Missions (known today as the Vincentians), a religious congregation devoted to work among the peasants. Then in 1633 A.D., along with St. Louise de Marillac, St. Vincent also founded the Sisters of Charity. Both communities grew and flourished. The Vincentians spread to all parts of France, America, and many other countries. And the Sisters of Charity also grew in number as they obeyed St. Vincent's counsel that "their convent was the rooms of the sick, their chapels the parish church, and their cloister the streets of the city."

A very accomplished and active life

In his lifetime, St. Vincent de Paul established hospitals, orphanages, and seminaries. He ransomed slaves in Northern Africa; sent his priests abroad to preach missions; organized far-flung relief among victims of the war of the Fronde; and wrote widely on spiritual topics. He also vigorously opposed Jansenism and was active in securing its condemnation.

Declared patron saint of charitable groups

St. Vincent de Paul suffered from ill health in his later years until he passed away quietly while sitting in his chair at the age of eighty, on September 27, 1660 A.D. His tomb and the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity are still places of pilgrimage for huge numbers of Catholics today. Vincent de Paul was canonized by Pope Clement XII in 1737 A.D., and was declared patron of all charitable groups by Pope Leo XIII in 1885 A.D. The Church celebrates his feast on September 27.

• A Year with the Saints, by Don Bosco Press Inc.
• Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
• Saints for Our Times, by Ed Ransom
• The Who's Who of Heaven: Saints for All Seasons, by Msgr. John P. Kleinz

Memorial of Saints (September 25)

St. Finbar was educated at the monastery in Kilmacahill, Kilkenney. After his education, he became a preacher of the Gospel in southern Ireland. Then he decided to live a secluded life in Gouganebarra to have more time for prayer and meditation. He was then able to establish a monastery in Loigh Eirc and called it the Corcaghmer monastery. This monastery became a major influence in southern Ireland. The city of Cork, Ireland developed around the monastery's environs (died ca. 633 A.D.).

Bl. Herman the Cripple was born with a deformity that his family had to place him in Reichenau Abbey, Switzerland. The monks at the abbey taught Herman well until he developed a very keen mind and became known to scholars all over Europe at the time. He wrote the hymns Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris mater. He also wrote poetry, a universal chronicle, and a mathematical treatise. Bl. Herman spent all his life in Reichenau Abbey (died ca. 1054 A.D.).

St. Sergius of Radonezh is the Russians' "Francis of Assisi". He founded about 40 monasteries, mediated at political disputes, and prevented four civil wars between princes. The monastic movement he initiated reestablished monasticism in Russia after the Tartar invasions of the 13th century almost destroyed everything in it. In 1387 A.D., he was to be elected to the patriarchate of Moscow, but he humbly declined. St. Sergius was also instrumental in the defeat of the Tartars in the Battle of Kulikov Polye in 1380 A.D. (died ca. 1392 A.D.).

St. Ceolfrid became a monk at Gilling monastery and then moved to St. Wilfrid's monastery at Ripon. He became master of novices at Ripon and then appointed prior of St. Peter's at Wearmouth by St. Benedict Biscop. When Benedict Biscop founded St. Paul monastery at Jarrow, he made Ceolfrid his deputy. Ceolfrid succeeded as abbot when Benedict passed away. He developed St. Paul's monastery into a great center of learning (died ca. 716 A.D.).

St. Firminus was a martyr during Diocletian's persecution of Christians. Baptized by St. Honestus, he became a bishop. Catholic tradition says that he went to Gaul as a missionary and built a church at Amiens. It was here where he was arrested, tortured and beheaded for his faith in Christ (died ca. 4th century A.D.).

St. Cadoc was educated by St. Tatheus of Caerwent. He decided to become a monk, then founded a monastery at Llancarfan, near Cardiff. This monastery he founded became well-known. After these, he pursued more studies in Ireland, and then at Brednock. A very zealous monk, he returned to his monastery to become its abbot. He then visited Brittany, Cornwall, Scotland, and made pilgrimages to Rome and to Jerusalem (died ca. 575 A.D.).

St. Aunacharius spent his youth in the court of King Guntram of Burgundy. He then left to serve under bishop Syagrius of Autun. Aunacharius was then ordained and later on was elected bishop of Auxerre in 561 A.D. Very zealous in ecclesiastical matters, he attended two synods, held two in his own diocese and introduced many reforms within his episcopal jurisdictions (died ca. 605 A.D.).

St. Albert of Jerusalem became bishop of Bobbio, Italy. In 1205 A.D., he was appointed patriarch of Jerusalem. Because the Saracens were still influential in Jerusalem at the time, he was obliged to establish his see at Akka. St. Albert took a prominent role in both the civil and ecclesiastical affairs under his jurisdiction. He was known to have mediated disputes between different Frankish factions. He is also especially known to have composed a rule of life for a community of hermits led by St. Brocard at Mount Carmel - the first fule of life of the Carmelites (died ca. 1214 A.D.).

St. Vincent Strambi resisted his parents' wish to become a diocesan priest. Instead, he chose to be a religious and joined the Passionists in 1768 A.D. He became provincial in 1781 A.D., and then a bishop in 1801 A.D. After being expelled from his see because of Napoleon Bonaparte, he returned in 1813 A.D. Bishop Strambi imposed reforms in his see, cared for his faithful during a typhus epidemic, and resigned from his see to become the papal adviser of Pope Leo XII (died ca. 1824 A.D.).

25th Sunday of the Year (A)

(Edited) Sunday reflections: (From) Years 2014 (A), 2015 (B), and 2016 (C)

September 21, 2014
Liturgical readings
Isaiah 55:6-9
Psalm 145
Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a
Matthew 20:1-16

"You go to the vineyard too."

Another parable from Jesus: The Laborers in the Vineyard. In this parable, the Lord describes the Reign of God like the owner of a vineyard, who hires laborers at different hours of a day. This vineyard-owner continued to hire even up to the last hour of the day. When the day ended, the owner of the vineyard called everyone and paid each group of laborers the same wage - without counting the number of hours each group had worked. Those who worked more hours naturally complained. But the vineyard-owner explained to the group who was hired early in the work day, that it was what they had agreed upon. His business involved not only the number of work hours, but also generosity.

God's ways and His justice are beyond human understanding. Many who are working often think in terms of numbers alone, but God thinks foremost in terms of generosity - and not on the specifics. Even in biblical times, the Jews also think in terms of a strict justice system (this explains the legalism in their religious structure). The parable Jesus presented emphasizes a value greater than that - in terms of His wisdom and generosity. Workers often think of themselves, and compare what they have with others. But God thinks of the whole picture - a vision much greater than each worker's limited human capacity to know. As many spiritual writers and masters have always written: the mystery of God's ways is really beyond all ways. His wisdom and generosity is hidden in a cloud of mystery; but He remains close to all the faithful in His Word and Sacrament.

Modern bible scholars and theologians also teach about God's justice as being qualified by His mercy. This is evidently seen in this Sunday's parable. When God calls each of us personally to His vineyard, some respond early in life, while others respond late in life. The parable should not be the basis to judge who is better. What matters is that we respond when God calls us, saying: "You go to the vineyard too". And we do our part to labor and build His Kingdom on earth. Whatever we receive as a result of our labors, is uniquely meant for each and every one of us - just the right amount needed for each one's salvation and just enough blessings needed to contribute well for the common good and the greater good.

Scripture quote:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts." (Isaiah 55)