Life and labours of Saint Vincent de Paul

Abstract

In beginning what I hope will become a series of Tracts, each containing the life of some Catholic saint, I have fixed on one who lived and died a member of our Church, after he had sanctioned at Trent all those doctrines and practices which Protestants call erroneous and even "idolatrous." Vincent of Paul was born at Poni; a village at the foot of the Pyrennees ; his parents occupied a small farm, on which they brought up four sons and three daughters. Vincent, the third son, early evinced great natural abilities. His feeling for religion and love of solitude was most unusual for a child ; and we are told that his happiest hours at this age were those spent in prayer, in the fields, where he was sent to tend his father's cattle. The unusual talents of Vincent, and the spirit of piety with which his whole nature seemed imbued, induced his father to place him under the care of the Franciscan friars ; and his progress in his studies was so great, that in four years M. le Comte d' Acques engaged him as preceptor to his children, enabling him to continue his studies without being a burden to his parents. At twenty years of age he was qualified to enter the University of Toulouse, where he spent seven years in preparation for the priesthood, to which he believed himself called by God, to whom he had long resolved to consecrate all his energies and talents.

He was ordained deacon in 1598, and priest in 1600. Soon after his ordination he met with that train of misfortunes which he often afterwards called " disguised blessing , sent to teach him to feel for others."... [Excerpt]