1580?–1660, French priest renowned for charitable work. He was ordained in 1600. There are conflicting stories about his capture by pirates and enslavement in Tunis and his subsequent escape. In Rome he came to the attention of Pope Paul V, who sent him on a mission to the French court of Henry IV, where Vincent remained as chaplain to the queen. His activism, and the holiness of his life brought about the revival of French Catholicism. He inspired many of the court to an interest in the poor of Paris and was the founder of organized charity in France. In 1625 he founded an order of secular priests to work in rural areas; it became the Congregation of the Mission, called Lazarists or Vincentians. With these priests, St. Vincent conducted retreats, founded seminaries, and achieved widespread reform among the French clergy. For city work he founded the Sisters of Charity. St. Vincent’s influence, through his spirit and through his institutions, is incalculable. He was canonized in 1737. Feast: Sept. 27 

Prayer to Saint Vincent de Paul

Dear Saint, the mere mention of your name suggests a litany of your virtues: humility, zeal, mercy, self-sacrifice. It also recalls your many foundations: Works of Mercy, Congregations, Societies. And the Church gratefully remembers your promotion of the priesthood. Inspire all Charitable Workers, especially those who minister to the poor - both the spiritually and the materially poor. Amen

This post is a contribution of Blessings in Bloggers Unite Against Abuse

Media coverage linking Catholic priests to reports of pedophilia set off an international debate over the causes and consequences of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. For example, while some Catholics blame the church hierarchy for failing to protect their children from sexual abuse, others believe the church acted in good faith when dealing with reports of sexual abuse by priests. Church representatives, victims’ organizations, former priests, child abuse scholars, and other authorities hold different positions on several questions, including whether priests accused of child sexual abuse should be   prosecuted or treated, whether the discipline of celibacy contributes to child sexual abuse, and whether homosexuals should be allowed into the priesthood.  More information on child sexual abuse by the clergy in this article.

Today,  September 27th,  thousands of bloggers around the world join in Blog Catalog’s Blogging for a Great Cause Challenge. This Month’s Blogging Challenge: Bloggers Against Abuse . Expected outcome is to be part of the largest group of bloggers to ever blog about an important cause, all on the same day. Come participate in this worthwhile event !