Born in France in 1576...
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Born in France in 1576, Saint Vincent de Paul became a priest at a young age and was then captured by Turkish pirates and sold into slavery. Working as a slave for two years, he eventually converted one of his masters to Christianity and was set free.
Returning to France he found that his experience as a slave had given him a deeper heart for the poor. In his parish he took care of the poor and the sick. Eventually Vincent began an order for women, the Order of the Daughters of Charity, who devoted their lives to caring for the poor and the sick. Vincent expanded his work to include providing housing for the poor, the sick, the elderly and orphans. Today the Saint Vincent de Paul Society continues to care for the poor and the needy in his name.
Returning to France he found that his experience as a slave had given him a deeper heart for the poor. In his parish he took care of the poor and the sick. Eventually Vincent began an order for women, the Order of the Daughters of Charity, who devoted their lives to caring for the poor and the sick. Vincent expanded his work to include providing housing for the poor, the sick, the elderly and orphans. Today the Saint Vincent de Paul Society continues to care for the poor and the needy in his name.
