Saint Vincent Pallotti

Saint Vincent Pallotti was born in Rome in 1795. After years of theological study, he was ordained a priest at the age of 23. Vincent was heavily involved with community service. Working with both the religious and the laity, which was rarely done at the time, Saint Vincent Pallotti founded the Union of Catholic Apostolate, which still exists today. The group aims to revive and share faith, as well as exemplify charity in the world. Saint Vincent Pallotti died in 1850 from a cold caught after giving his cloak to a beggar in the rain. His feast day is January 22.

If Saint Vincent were alive today, he might be helping to dig wells in places like Ethiopia where water is scarce.

Questions for Reflection:

  • How often do you show kindness toward those less fortunate than you? Remember: To help, you don’t necessarily have to give money. Your time is one of the best gifts you can give.
  • Charity doesn’t have to be done in grand ways, like digging wells in Africa. It can be in small actions, like buying a homeless person a warm cup of soup or giving up your seat on the train or subway to a child or pregnant woman.
  • How can you work to spread the message of those like Saint Vincent — the message of compassion and generosity toward others?