Bio

Called “Monsieur Vincent,” Vincent de Paul (b. 1581) was born in Gascony and studied theology in Languedoc. In 1605 he was captured in Provence by Barbary corsairs and enslaved; during his captivity, he converted his captor, who freed the priest in 1607.

De Paul studied in Rome for a time, then returned to France where he served as chaplain to Queen Marguerite de Valois. Later he served as confessor and spiritual advisor to the de Gondi family in Paris. In 1624 the priest established the Congregation of the Mission, with the assistance of the de Gondis, to minister to the poor.

In 1622 the king appointed de Paul chaplain to the royal galleys, and in this capacity he ministers to the galley-slaves of France.