Saint's of the Week

Saint: St Vincent de Paul

Virtue: Generosity

Feast Day: 27th September

Vincent was born in France in 1576. When he was still a young priest, he was captured by

Turkish pirates who sold him into slavery. For two years, he had to work hard for the masters who bought him. He converted his last master and was then set free. 

Vincent was sent to work in a parish near Paris. He was a very great friend to the poor. He started groups to look after them. The women took care of the sick and cooked meals for them. The men gave food and clothes to the needy. 

Vincent started the Order of the Daughters of Charity who worked for the poor and the sick. He built homes for the poor, the sick, the aged, and abandoned children. He also started the congregation of the Mission, a society of Priests and missionaries called the Vincentians. 

Vincent died in Paris at the age of eighty–four. The St Vincent de Paul Society continues its work for the poor. 

Saint Teresa of Avila 

Virtue: Prayer 

Feast Day: 15th October

Teresa was the daughter of noble parents in Spain. When she was only seven years of age, she and her little brother liked to read stories from the lives of saints. One of their

 games was playing "hermit' in their father's garden.

When Teresa was still quite young, she became crippled by disease and was unable to walk. She prayed to St Joseph, who cured her.

Teresa lost her mother when she was twelve. She begged the Mother of God to be her mother. Five years after her mother's death, she joined the Carmelite Order. She built many new convents.

By a life of prayer, work and sacrifice, Teresa brought many souls to Jesus. Her many writings show her great love of God. She wrote: "Let nothing trouble you, let nothing make you afraid. All things pass away. God never changes. Patience obtains everything. God alone is enough." She died on October 4, 1582 after she had a vision of Jesus and many saints.