, a worthy ecclesiastic of the Romish church, was born April 24,
, a worthy ecclesiastic of the
Romish church, was born April 24, 1576, and studied at
Toulouse, where he was ordained a priest in 1600. On
his return to Narbonne from Marseilles, his ship was taken
by the Turks, and he remained for a considerable time in
slavery, under three masters, the last of whom he converted. Returning at length to France, Louis XIII. made
him abbot of St. Leonard de Chaulme, and he had afterwards the care of the parish church of Clichy, which he
completely repaired and furnished at his own expence.
Towards the end of 1609, he went to reside in the house
of Emmanuel de Goudy, as tutor to his children, but does
not appear to have remained here long. He then obtained
the curacy of Chatillon-les-Dombes, which he kept only
five months. Compelled by the solicitations of numberless persons of the highest distinction, to return, to the
Goudy family, he resigned himself wholly to his natural
desire of relieving the poor and afflicted. Louis XIII. being
made acquainted with his zeal, appointed him almonergeneral of the gall ies, 1619; and the following year, St.
Francis de Sales, because, as he says, he “knew not a
worthier priest in the church,
”made him superintendant
of the nuns of the visitation. On niadame de Goudy’s decease, M. Vincent retired to the college des Bon Knfans,
cf which he, wasprincipal, and which he never quitted,
but to perform the oftie of a missionary. Some years
after, he accepted the house de St. Lazare, though with
great reluctance. His life was a continued series of good
works, and it is scarcely to be conceived how one man
could plan so many, still less, how he could execute them.
Among these were missions in all parts of France, as well
as in Italy, Scotland, Barbary, Madagascar, &c. ecclesiastical conferences, at which the most eminent bishops
of the kingdom were present spiritual retirements, as they
were called, which were also gratuitous; an Hospital for
Foundlings, for which his humane applications procured
an income of 40,000 livres; the foundation of the Charitable Virgins, for the relief of sick poor; to which we
may add, the hospitals de Bicetre, de la Salpetriere, de
la Piti; those of Marseilles for galley-slaves; of St. Reine
for pilgrims, and of le Saint Nom de Jesus, for old men,
which are principally indebted to him for their establishment. In times of the greatest distress, he sent above two
millions of livres into Lorraine in money and effects; nor
did Picardy and Champagne experience much less of his
bounty, when the scourges of heaven had reduced those
provinces to the most deplorable indigence. During ten
years that M. Vincent presided in the council of conscience,
under Anne of Austria, he suffered none but the most
worthy to be presented to benefices. Being a zealous patron of nunneries, he supported the establishment of the
nuns de la Providence, de Sainte Genevieve, and de la
Croix. He laboured with success for the reform of Grammorit, Premontre, and the abbey of St. Genevieve, as welt
as for the establishment of the great Seminaries. Even
those, who have doubted whether his talents were very
extensive, have openly acknowledged that he was one of
the most pious priests in the kingdom, and more useful to
the poor and to the church, than most of those who are
considered as great geniuses. This excellent man died
loaded with years, labour, and mortifications, Sept.27,1660,
aged near 85. He was canonized by Clement XII. on
July 16, 1737. Those who wish to know more of St. Vincent de Paul, may consult his Life by M. Collet, 2 vols. 4to,
and “PAvocat.du Diable,
” 3 vols. 12mo.