The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-03-29

Saint Vincent de Paul.

The recent death, in France, of the Rev
Jean Baptste Etienne, Superior General of til,
Con gregation of the Priests of the Mission
naturally recalls to mind the illustrious name
of the founder of his Order-an Order which
spread through many parts of the world, still
perpetuates the spirit, and puts into practice
the sublime charity with which he was ami
mated.
The venerable Superior, whose loss the
Order now deplores, was indeed true fol
lower of the Saint, and in every respect worthy
of the love and veneration which enshrines his
name. Ripe in age, and rich in virtue, he has
but gone to his reward; but in connection
with his death, we are startlingly reminded
that our glorious Pontif, Plus TX, as we'll as
the great Christian Brother, lately deceased in
France, and this venerable follower of Saint
Vincent were all of nearly the same age. They
entered upon their Sacred mi nistry within a
few months of each other, they celebrated
their golden jubilee at close intervals of time
and now two have been crowned by Death
with the precious boon of neyer-endipg life.
When shall the third summons comet the
other good and faithful servant" receive
his exceeding great reward'"
Butt is not as Christian that we should
grieve for those who have gone before, or
tremble because another soon must follow it
is rather as a worldling,-as one belonging to
that world for which our Saviour would not
pray-that we should fear to lose the bright
example set MS by these holy men.
1t would seem as though Our Lord desired to
inspire his disciples with compassion for the
world, when He thus refused to pray for it
md Hio inf in
laboring for it's sanctiication, and sacrificing
their own lives in order to convert it to the
love of God. This was the Mission of St. Vim
cent-whose life, even to non Catholics, is an
eminently beautiful one. They peculiarly
appreciate his zeal, because he labored SO
fervently for the body; the Catholic alone
knows that he did SO because it was the means
of reaching the poor, benighted soul.
In. 1876, near the Pyrenean Mountains in
France, St.oVincent de Paul was born. His
parents were very humble people, and his own
occupation in early youth was that of a
swineherd. Yet this man was destined to be-
come the counsellor of Kings, the dispenser of
millions of dollars, and the father of the poor
and distressed of every condition of life.
"The Confraternities of Charity" which st.
Vincent established, and which have served
as the models of all similar Societies, origi
mated, as do all great designs, in q very simple
manner. One day, while st. Vincent was only
q parish priest, he was asked to recommend TO
his congregation very poor, sick family. He
did so, and his words aroused the pity of his
listeners to such degree that each one We'd
with his neighbor in carrying immediate and
abundant relief. Here is great charity" said
our Saint, I" but it is not well directed" He
saw that much of the food so generously be-
slowed would spoil and be lost, that the relief
was not permanent, and the poor family would
soon again experience the pangs of hunger To
avoid this result, he organized his admirable
and thereby brought health,
peace and plenty to thousands of homes that
had long been the abodes Of misery, sickness
and despair
1t was in 1888 he commenced the Institution
Of the Sisters of Charity work which must
have crowned his name with glory, oven had
his zeal done nothing more. To them he gave
the care of the sick in each parish, then the
Dharge and education of fouudlings, the IN
structiOn of poor girls, the care Of hospitals,
and even of a vast number of criminals con-
1emned to the GallOyS
We have no need to describe these angels OF
charity. They live in our midst, and our own
eyes can see all their beroism and self-devotion.
Of them, st Vincent said " They have no
nopasteries but the houses of the poor-no
cloister but the walls of city-no veil but
that of their own modesty." All! were it not
for their prayers, their pnrity, and their zeA,
what would become of us poor worldlings
While we are spending days and nights in
folly, perhaps in sin, they are watching the
sick, conSOling the dying, praying for the
dead.
while we are induisinE in fashions chat are