St Vincent de Paul was born in 1581 and died in 1660.

During his life he gave retreats, educated young people, and helped the poor.

In 1625 he met Louise de Marillac. This led to the foundation of the Daughters of Charity, which in turn assisted in the work Vincent had initiated for abandoned children.

On one occasion he wrote to one of the Daughters of Charity congratulating her for her work for the poor even though it meant that sometimes she was not able to be at Mass.

That was how important it was to help those in need. In fact, he also said that by practising charity she was uniting herself to Jesus.

In 1833 Frédéric Ozanam placed the Society which he had founded under the patronage of St Vincent de Paul.