Saint Vincent de Paul

I was born in the year 1581, in France and became a priest at the age of 19. As a young priest, I was captured by Turkish pirates at sea and sold into slavery. After two years, I escaped and fled to France. There, I soon became close to the King and Queen of France, both spiritually and diplomatically. However, my heart soon was won by the poor. They became my full-time concern. I went to many places to visit the sick, the elderly and the poor. Yet, I knew that I had to do more. I realised that I needed the money and more people to help all those who needed help. I asked wealthy people to donate money for our endeavours. My charming manners, greatly helped with this cause. I also attracted many followers who wanted to dedicate their lives to God and the poor. The men formed into the religious community called the Vincentians and the women became the Daughters of Charity. I died in 1660, in Paris.