"I started with nothing in mind but the relief of one poor family... the movement has grown by itself. All I ask of God is, what next?" - Vincent de Paul, as quoted on p 77

I really enjoyed this read. There was so much history here - I knew that de Paul was a proponent of charity, but I didn't realize how influential he was in the royal sphere of France in the 1600s. That was really interesting to read about, especially because he maintained humility throughout all his dealings with the royal court.

I was also impressed with his desire to follow God with everything he had; his commitment to keeping his vow of poverty and serving the poor; and his willingness to accept guidance from a few other Christians, and even the royals he served, viewing their advice as being sent from God, as evidenced in several quotes included in the book.

"I don't know where this new duty will lead me, but where God wills me to go, I will go. We must not tread on the hills of Providence, but when God opens the way, run!" p 84

"The good which God wishes to be done will be done without our thinking about it. For God will use us, and we are not to be concerned as to how or where or when. But we do know that to do His work, you must not be shut away. Your cloister will be the house of the sick, your cell a room in someone's poor hut, your chapel the parish church. You will make your meditations while you are hurrying along the streets of the city instead of strolling in some cloister walk. You will be surrounded by the temptations of the world, my daughters, and so you must remember all the more that you are servants of God." pp 112-113, VdP to the "Little Sisters"

"Retreats for laymen had been started... with several hundred men coming at a time to be housed and fed for a week. Since no charge ever was made, some came who had no other interest than the good food. 'What does it matter?' Vincent answered the complaint of the brother in charge of the supplies. 'Perhaps a few will take the sermons to heart. As for those who do not, at least they have given us the opportunity for charity.'" p 187

As de Paul was Catholic, and I am not, there were a few mentions here and there of theology that I don't quite agree on (for instance, paying penance). There was also a story recorded in this book of de Paul organizing beggars to dig a ditch, and paying them a small wage for it. At the end of the day, the beggars simply filled in the ditch, because it wasn't actually needed. In de Paul's mind, this was acceptable because he supposed that the beggars would have improved self-confidence from their work. In my opinion, only true, useful work would do that. I personally would be very ashamed if someone had to "make up" work for me that didn't do anyone else any good.

But no Christian will likely ever agree with another 100%, so this book still gets five stars from me!

I became aware of the man through the thrift stores bearing his name and, specifically, the books [b:Thrift Store Saints: Meeting Jesus 25¢ at a Time|9631140|Thrift Store Saints Meeting Jesus 25¢ at a Time|Jane F. Knuth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328806042i/9631140._SX50_.jpg|14518454] and [b:Thrift Store Graces: Finding God's Gifts in the Midst of the Mess|13100118|Thrift Store Graces Finding God's Gifts in the Midst of the Mess|Jane F. Knuth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1344687555i/13100118._SY75_.jpg|18272635], both by [a:Jane F. Knuth|4442341|Jane F. Knuth|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. ( )

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL