devoted themselves entirely to work in the small towns and villages of France as caregivers
of the poor. He also instructed his missioners that Protestants were to be treated as brothers,
with respect and love, without patronage or condescension. Many rich, and wealthy men and
women came to him, wanting to amend their lives, so he organized them into a Confraternity
of Charity, and set them to work caring for the poor and sick in hospitals and in homes. In
1633 the Archbishop or Paris gave him the Priory of St. Lazare to use as a headquarters,
there he offered retreats six times a year for those who were preparing for the Religious life,
at no cost. He once said about the headquarters that was given to him:
“This house was formerly used as a retreat for lepers,
and not one of them was cured. Now it is used to receive
sinners, who are sick men covered with spiritual leprosy,
but are cured by the grace of God. Nay, rather, they are
dead men brought back to life. What a joy it is to think
that the house of St Lazare is a house of resurrection!
Lazarus, after he had been four days in the tomb, came
out alive, and our Lord who raised him up still gives the
same grace to many who, after staying here some days
as in the grave of Lazarus, come out with a new life.”
After over 50 years of devoted service to the poor, he
died a natural death at the age of 79, on the 27th of
September which became his Feast day.
We can learn from St. Vincent in his love and devotion for
the poor and the sick, and his example of perseveranceto
admonish sinners through repentance thereby turning to God and amending their lives.
~PRAYER~
Almighty God, who called your servant Vincent de Paul to
serve you in the person of those in need: Grant that we,
following his example, may fulfil your commandments
by defending and supporting the poor, and by loving you
with all our hearts, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever, Amen.
8
Children of the Rosary