St Vincent De Paul

St. Vincent De Paul- Our Patron Saint

We are proud that our school is named after St Vincent De Paul and we take great inspiration from him. Please read below to read about our Patron Saint.

St. Vincent is the Patron Saint of charitable societies. St. Vincent De Paul is recognised for his charity and compassion for the poor, though he is also known for his reform of clergy.

St. Vincent was born in Ranquine, France, the son of a peasant farmer. He was able to study and become a priest in 1600. He was travelling by sea when Barbary pirates captured him; he survived two hard years as a slave, but escaped to Rome, and later, Paris. It was there that he met Cardinal Pierre de Berulle, who influenced Vincent to devote his life to charitable works. He established organisations of men and women to provide aid to the poor and sick. He depended on the donations of the wealthy, who made it possible for him to found hospitals and an orphanage. 

In 1625, in Paris, St. Vincent founded the Congregation of the Missions, called the Lazarites or Vincentians, a society of priests charged with missionary efforts, the training of clergy and preaching among the country people. In 1633, with St. Louise de Marillac, he founded the Sisters of Charity, the first congregation of women to care for the sick and poor outside of the convent. During St. Vincent's life, the Vincentians increased in number and spread across the world. 

He died in Paris on September 27, 1660 and was canonised by Pope Clement XII in 1737. St. Vincent's feast day is September 27. The Society of St. Vincent De Paul is a Catholic charitable organisation dedicated to the service of the poor.

When our children join St Vincent’s they become ‘Mini Vinnies’ by carrying on charitable work and the good work of St Vincent.