This week we celebrate the Feast of St Vincent de Paul. Although many may know the name, some may not be familiar with this remarkable saint. Born in the late 1500s in France, St Vincent became a priest and was captured on the high seas by the Turks and enslaved for a short time. Returning to France, he served as a priest in a small parish and was affected by the poverty of some parishioners. From this experience sprang his life-long devotion to aiding the poor. He was instrumental in establishing centres of charity to assist the poor. The society of St Vincent de Paul continues his work to our day and the faithful can contribute by joining one’s local conference. Fr Nicolas Maurice