Today’s Readings – Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest

Vincent de Paul (Vincent Depaul) was born on 24 April, 1581, of a Gascon peasant family in Pouy, in the south-east of France. He went to a Franciscan school in Dax and graduated in theology at Toulouse University.  He remained in Toulouse until he went to Marseilles to collect an inheritance. On his way back from Marseilles, there is a story he was taken seized by Turkish pirates and brought to Tunis where he was sold as a slave.  But, after converting his ‘owner’ to Christianity, he was freed in 1607, though some doubt the veracity of this event.

Vincent was ordained priest at the unusually early age of 19.  He began his priestly life as a court chaplain and was supported by the revenues of a commendatory abbey but his life changed following a false accusation of theft. In 1609, … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – Tuesday of Week 25 of Ordinary Time - First Reading

Commentary on Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 14-20

In spite of the proclamation which King Cyrus had made about the return of the Jews to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple, they met with many difficulties, especially from the Samaritans who were living there.

Today we find ourselves in cha … Continue