For my first post to The Catholic Gene I am going to tell you about St. Vincent de Paul. I have to tell you that there is more to this guy than meets the eye. Just look at that face – that twinkle in his eye. There aren’t many portraits of Saints that make me smile like this one does. He even died with a smile on his face. You can see for yourself the next time you’re in Paris. Just go to the Vincentian Chapel at Rue de Sèvres and have yourself a visit with St. Vince. Maybe he looks happy because he didn’t die a gruesome, horrible martyr’s death.
The boring hard facts are that Vincent de Paul was born at Pouy, France on April 24, 1581. He was ordained a priest on September 23, 1600. Vincent devoted himself entirely to works of charity. Vincent died in Paris on September 27, 1660 and was canonized in 1737.
In 1633 he founded the Sisters of Charity who wear the coolest habits and coronets.
I’m certain that it was this order of nuns, the Sisters of Charity, that TV Land had in mind when they created The Flying Nun. I think I will contact the Pope and petition for another cause for St. Vincent for surely he is the patron saint of flying nuns as well.
And finally we thank St. Vincent for the inspiration behind the creation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Founded in Paris, France in 1833 and brought to America in 1845, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul brought us the THRIFT STORE! Who among you hasn’t been in a St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store? The stores have been around a lot longer than I imagined. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is the oldest charity in Chicago. It opened its doors in 1857. Philadelphia’s opened in 1861 and Baltimore, Maryland in 1865.
Because I am a most thorough and meticulous researcher, I recently went on a Pilgrimage to all the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Stores withing a 100 mile radius of my home here in Stockton. I am happy to report that there are exactly 23. In the spirit of St. Vincent (being charitable, that is) I will share with you the treasure of all treasures that I found in the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Pacific Grove, California. You’re welcome.
Disturbing, yet hideously tacky in a delightful sort of way
Thank you St. Vincent, you’re my kind of saint!
Julie said:
Very interesting post. It is tacky, but wonderful!
sherifenley said:
Thank you Julie, I’m glad you like it. Just remember when you encourage me you become part of the insanity. LOL
Julie said:
Absolutely, I’m right with you! Lol
Dorene from Ohio said:
Love the Thrift Shop tie in! What a great post!
sherifenley said:
And how many St. Vincent de Paul Thrift stores are near you Doreen? I will expect an accurate count. It’s for my research portfolio. LOL
Dorene from Ohio said:
Sheri, You crack me up! Okay…if my calculations are correct, there are nine SVDP Thrift Stores in Ohio, and the closest one is in Tiffin, Ohio, and the next closest one is in Toledo. I love thrift stores….I am more familiar with the Mennonite Resale Shops in Kidron and Hartville, Ohio, but I look forward to visiting a St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in the near future!
Greta Koehl said:
When I clicked on The Catholic Gene, scrolled down and saw the picture of the Flying Nun, I didn’t have to guess who wrote this post; I knew it was you. And you didn’t disappoint: an interesting and educational post with a picture of a tackiness in it. Perfect!
sherifenley said:
I am delighted that I didn’t disappoint you Greta. I could have taken this post and ran with it as soon as I got to the tacky part, but I was really trying to behave myself and not get too irreverent. I am trying to save up good karma . . .i will need it later.
Cindy Bonham-Miller said:
I was taught by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent De Paul. Loved them! Great post.
Colleen said:
I’ve always loved to learn about the saints. Look forward to reading more.
Sue said:
I love this post. Only you. Make me laugh so much my husband notices…Love you.
AKR said:
I’ve always wondered if the people who thought up The Flying Nun had the Sisters of Charity in mind. lol Maybe they did, indeed! I used to see the sisters when I was growing up and often wondered if they or their cornets would fly when we had strong winds. They ran our local Charity Hospital (imagine that, it had their name, Charity) and other things as well. Even in recent decades, I was awed when entering the building’s entrance and seeing their huge portraits on the foyer’s wall.
Thanks for posting.
David Donahue said:
I make origami things and noticed that the Coronette worn by the Sisters of Charity is kind of folded Cloth. Have been scouring the internet for someone that would describe how to fold it….So I have been collecting images of as many as I can to “reverse engineer” it.. found only one that shows the back and another that shows what it looks like from above.
If you or anyone can help or suggest who to find out how it is done, it would be appreciated…