St Vincent de Paul was born in France in 1581. He was ordained a priest in 1600. During his life he dedicated himself to serving the poor of his time and is remembered as a man of compassion, humility and charity. Vincent died in 1660 and was canonised in 1737.
Today St Vincent de Paul is the patron of all works of charity, including the Society of St Vincent de Paul which was established by Fredrick Ozanam and a group of university students in 1833.
There are currently Conferences St Vincent de Paul carrying on charitable work in 132 countries around the world.
In a variety of ways, Brigidine Sisters support the ongoing work of St Vincent de Paul.
Prayer for Systemic Change
We praise and thank you, Creator of the Universe.
Everything you made you recognised as good. May we always graciously use the gifts you have given us and share them generously with those in need.
Give us courage to support people experiencing poverty, illness or social exclusion to meet their basic human needs.
Open our hearts, our hands and our minds so that we might stand at their side and change whatever unjust structures keep people poor or excluded.
Remind us that we are all brothers and sisters who must walk together and work together in the struggle for basic human rights for all.
We ask this through Jesus, our Brother and Friend of the poor.
AMEN.