Middle School Members - St. Vincent de Paul 1. Begin with Prayer 2. Vocabulary words: Have these words written on the Board and review the meaning of each or have students look them up in the dictionary as a practice prior to reading the story. Ordained Ambition Vocation Heir Destitute Rural Peasant Encouraged 3. Copy the information on St. Vincent de Paul, Apostle of Charity for each student or read the story of St. Vincent to them. (next pages) 1
Vincent was born in the south of France in 1580 or 1581 and was the third child in a family of four sons and two daughters. He grew up in a peasant family where they worked on a farm to make ends meet. 1580-1617 His father encouraged and helped him to be a priest. While becoming a priest, roommate accused Vincent of stealing a horse. Vincent did not defend himself, showing himself to be more like the Lord. The real thief confessed years later. He was ordained on September 23, 1600, at the age of nineteen or twenty. Vincent wanted to be a priest, so that he could send money home to his family who worked on their farm in France. Vincent, having returned home after becoming a priest. On his way home, he made the trip a city by the Mediterranean sea in France, on board a small ship. The Christian captain and his ship were taken over by a band of Barbary pirates, who were at this time a menace to all Mediterranean shipping. When the Christian captain refused to hang the pirate s flag, the pirates attacked the captain and crew with arrows. Three were killed and several, including Vincent, were wounded. Vincent was captured at sea by pirates and sold as a slave! Those who remained alive were put in chains, and the pirates straightway sailed to Africa with their human cargo. Landing at Tunis, the pirates led their prisoners through the streets of the city, and then they were brought back to the ship and sold to the highest bidder, like cattle. Vincent was bought by a fisherman and then sold to an aged Moslem, a very good man. He grew fond of his slave, to whom he gave long lectures on chemistry and his god, Mohammed; he even promised to 2
make Vincent his heir and to give him all secrets of his science if he adopted the religion of Islam. Vincent terrified that his faith would be lost, to the Blessed Virgin. He was set free by the Moslem man and returned home to be a parish priest. In August 1617, as he was preparing for Sunday Mass, a parishioner brought news of the illness and destitution of an entire family in the parish. He preached on their need, and that afternoon the people responded by carrying food and supplies to the poor people. Vincent saw the wonderful things that people were doing for others and called a meeting of interested women, and urged them to put order into their generosity by taking turns. The women established a group which became the first organization lay people (not priests or sisters) who worked toward charity for others. During this period Vincent changed. First, the poor were becoming the center of his life. Second, he also started a personal relationship with Jesus. 1617-1660 Vincent also served as spiritual director for people, one of whom was a widow, Louise de Marillac. Vincent saw Louise as a person who could lead others. Vincent set up an organization called, The Ladies of Charity made of wealthy women who would serve the poor. Vincent needed help to run this organization and he asked Louise de Marillac to help. Despite frail health, Louise traveled from town to town, visiting, guiding and encouraging the new organizations. 3
In 1633, Louise welcomed several young women in the town into her own home for training, and they became the Daughters of Charity. They lived in houses, not convents; They gave their lives to visiting the sick in the homes, ministering in hospitals, caring for prisoners, orphans, the mentally ill, and the homeless of Paris. They also taught religion to rural children. Vincent continued his work until his death on September 27, 1660. The St. Vincent de Paul Society, created as a means for men to live Vincent, is still a part of parishes. The Daughters of Charity religious order still continue their work today. 4. Video: Cut and paste into your browser to show your class a short video about the Journey Vincent followed to become a Saint. http://vinformation.famvin.org/vincentian- formation- resources/presentations- media- games/journey/ 5. Class Activity Cut and paste the Who wants to be a Millionaire game into your browser. Play the game with your students using the projector and large screen. The game is played by students guessing the Final Answer for each question. Each correct answer gives a Coat to the Thrift Store. Questions are on Vincent s early life. http://vinformation.famvin.org/vincentian- formation- resources/presentations- media- games/vincent- the- early- years/ 6. Discussion Questions St. Vincent said, We should assist the poor in every way, and do it both by ourselves and by enlisting the help of others. 4
A. In what ways have you and/or your family helped the poor? B. How do you feel when you help someone in need? Leader You may do a group project. You can ask the groups to develop a project(s) that they would like. Let them come up with ideas, develop posters (if applicable) to advertise, make a report to the members as to what they will do as a project and why they chose the project. Have members take pictures during the project and write an article on what they chose and why. Then send articles to the local newspaper. If you would prefer, here is a website that has pre- planned activities: www.heifer.com/getinvolved/schools. You DO NOT have to use this project, it is a sample. 5
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