ST. VINCENT DE PAUL

Homily for Sept. 27^th, 2013: St. Vincent de Paul.

          St. Vincent de Paul, whom we celebrate today, is an unusual character. Born in 1581 to a poor peasant family in southwestern France, he became a priest – several years under the minimum age – because he thought it would assure him an easy and comfortable life. A priest related to Vincent’s father lived comfortably on the income of a hostel he administered for pilgrims on the way to Compostella in northwestern Spain. Decades later Vincent would say: “If I had known what priesthood was all about, as I have come to know since, I would rather have tilled the soil than engage in such an awesome state in life.”

          Wealthy benefactors financed his university studies in Toulouse. One of them arranged for him to become Pastor of a parish when he was not yet eighteen, and not even a priest. Vincent enjoyed the endowed income, while a poorly paid assistant priest took care of pastoral duties -- something quite possible in the Church of that day. We know little about Vincent’s early years of priesthood. We know, however, that in 1605, while on a coastal voyage in the Mediterranean, he was captured by pirates and spent the next two years as a slave in North Africa. He was freed when his fourth owner took Vincent back to France. Later he would ascribe his liberation to Mary’s intercession.  

          By 1608 Vincent was in Paris. Something of a confidence artist all his life, he got himself appointed chaplain to the queen. This brought him into contact with the French king's chaplain, a saintly priest named Pierre de Bérulle, who discerned in Vincent a capacity for true holiness. With Bérulle’s help Vincent came to regard priesthood as a service and not a career. While continuing to associate with the rich and famous, he developed a fruitful ministry to the poor, to prisoners, and to his fellow clergy. With associates he founded the Company of the Mission, which continues today, and seminaries to raise the level of the clergy.

When Vincent, now a member of the Council which advised the French king about the selection of bishops, refused the request of a duchess that her son should receive a miter, the enraged lady threw a stool at Vincent’s head, drawing blood. To the lay brother who was with him, Vincent remarked unfazed: “Isn’t it wonderful to see a mother’s love for her son.”

          By 1660 Vincent, now approaching 80, was worn out from his labors and knew he was dying. At four in the morning of Sept. 27^th the Lord called him home as he sat by the fire in his room. It was the hour at which, for years, he had risen from his bed to begin a day filled with prayer and with activity for others. Vincent de Paul was starting his first day of eternity. With joy and gratitude we pray to him: “St. Vincent de Paul, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”