Most often St. Vincent is pictured with children and the poor, his two great passions. St. Vincent de Paul, the founder, donor and inspiration of Vincentian charities worldwide is memorialized here at The St. Vincent de Paul Church in Hillcrest, San Diego California. Monseignior Clark now stewards the St. Vincent's parish with an eye towards donating his time and spirit to children and the poor.

Our mission is based upon the life of St. Vincent, so it is important for us to know some of the history surrounding the life of Vincent de Paul. Following now is a brief history of St. Vincent:

St. Vincent de Paul lived during what is considered one of the most spiritually motivated periods in Christian European history. Vincent de Paul was born in 1581 into a poor farming family in Pouy, France.

The truth be known Vincent's initial desire to be a priest was mainly for social advancement for his family and monetary gain. It is said by historians that through a process of careful planning and being in the right place at the right time, Vincent was ordained a priest at the age of nineteen by an elderly bishop who could barely see or hear. Perhaps this elderly Bishop saw deeper into the spirit of Vincent de Paul than others around him.

Regardless, it is further said that having begun his priestly life with less than pure motives, Vincent's ultimate change of mission began in the middle of one of his visits to the poor tenants of a wealthy estate holder. Vincent was struck by mans inhumanity to man and its total lack of charity.

Following this experience, Vincent devoted to donate his energies and life to the needs of the poor in 17th century France. Together with Louise de Marillac, he organised hospitals for the sick poor, founded institutions for abandoned and abused children, opened soup kitchens, created job training programmes, taught young women to read, improved prison conditions, and organised countless local charities in the villages throughout France.

In 1626, Vincent and three priests pledged to, in his own words, "Aggregate and associate to ourselves and to the aforesaid work to live together as a Congregation…and to devote ourselves to the salvation of the poor country folk."

Thus the Congregation of the Mission Charity was born in the name of St. Vincent de Paul.

In the following period more men became priests to donate their lives and fortunes to Vincent de Paul and his three original compatriots. They and others began working with the poor and impoverished while founding local charities and preaching a life of giving and donating throughout France.

So successfull was St. Vincent de Paul's charitable mission that within Vincent's lifetime the Congregation of the Mission charity had spread to the 4 corners of the world. Donations to help the poor grew and grew not only in France, but ultimately throughout Europe and now in America, Australia and Asia.

At Vincent's funeral, the preacher declared that Vincent had just about "transformed the face of the Church". No one disputed this claim. His charities and their donations continue to help the poor and children worldwide.

Funny, charming, impassioned, candid-Vincent de Paul had an extraordinary capacity to connect with all types of people and to move them to be inflamed with the Gospel and to live their lives in charity and as donors to the poor and displaced. His basic vision was simply that the Good News of Jesus Christ should be announced to the poor through word and all that could, should donate to and help the poor through his charities.

During his life and in his work, Vincent lived that vision. Our mission is to follow that mission wherein the first shall be last and the last first. (For additional information on St. Vincent de Paul please click here)