Saints of the Day & More

Vincent was born at Pouy in Gascony, in the south of France, in 1580 or 1581, the third child in a family of four sons and two daughters. His family was a solid peasant family capable of making ends meet only through hard work and frugality. His father encouraged and helped him toward the priesthood, to which he was ordained on September 23, 1600, at the age of nineteen or twenty. Among his chief reasons for becoming a priest was his desire to get an office in the Church from which he could obtain enough money to retire early, return home, and provide for his family. His early hopes for advancement came to nothing (two trips to Rome, promises of a bishopric, money from a will). In 1608, Vincent moved to Paris, where he came under the influence of Father (later Cardinal) Pierre de Bérulle, whom he took as his spiritual director, and Father André Duval, a professor of the Sorbonne, who was to be his "wise man" for the next three decades. This marked a turning point in Vincent...

Louise, born near Meux, France, lost her mother when she was still a child, her beloved father when she was but 15. Her desire to become a nun was discouraged by her confessor, and a marriage was arranged. One son was born of this union. But she soon found herself nursing her beloved husband through a long illness that finally led to his death. Louise was fortunate to have a wise and sympathetic counselor, St. Francis de Sales, and then his friend, the Bishop of Belley, France. Both of these men were available to her only periodically. But from an interior illumination she understood that she was to undertake a great work under the guidance of another person she had not yet met. This was the holy priest M. Vincent, later to be known as St. Vincent de Paul. At first he was reluctant to be her confessor, busy as he was with his "Confraternities of Charity." Members were aristocratic ladies of charity who were helping him nurse the poor and look after neglected children, a real ...

Elizabeth Ann born in New York on August 28, 1774. It grows within the Episcopal Church. William Seton married her at the age of twenty years and comes to have five children. On December 27, 1803 she was widowed. Years later, on March 14, 1805 embraces Catholicism, which causes it multiple tests, both internal and external, coming from relatives and friends. All overcomes with faith, love and courage. Applied regularly to the spiritual life. Educate your children to request and, eager to indulge in the charitable and educational activity. In 1809 the diocese of Baltimore founded the Institute of Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, renewing the saga of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. This Institute aims at the training of girls. It is the first female religious congregation in North America. After her death the sisters joined the Society of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, as was her desire from the beginning. She also founded the first Catholic parochial school in Ameri...