St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) was a French priest who gave his life to the poor, the sick, orphans, prisoners, and galley slaves. He founded the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians) and, with St. Louise de Marillac, the Daughters of Charity, and he taught that serving the poor is serving Christ Himself. Pope Leo XIII named him patron of all charitable societies, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, founded by Bl. Frédéric Ozanam in 1833, still carries his name i