St. Vincent was born of poor parents in the village of Pouy in Gascony, France, about 1580. He enjoyed his first schooling under the Franciscan Fathers at Acqs. In 1596, he went to the University of Toulouse for theological studies, and there he was ordained priest in 1600.
St. Vincent de Paul
This feast day of St. Vincent de Paul offers us a perfect opportunity to consider the topic of poverty and our role in bringing comfort and hope to those who suffer. St. Vincent de Paul lived in eighteenth century France and saw all about him the needs of the poor and marginalized. His desire was to help feed, shelter, and minister to the poorest of the poor at his time.