The Earliest Biographies of Saint Vincent De Paul [1]
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35312/9ea98m94Keywords:
Vincent de Paul, Biography, Ristretto cronologico, Latin compendiumAbstract
This study examines three lesser-known biographical works on Saint Vincent de Paul written between the foundational biography by Louis Abelly (1664) and the more widely known work by Pierre Collet (1748). These early texts were closely tied to the saint’s beatification and canonization processes and reflect the growing devotion to Vincent during the 18th century. The first is an official summary published by the Holy See in 1709, offering a structured account of Vincent’s life, virtues, and miracles based on witness testimony. The second is Bernardo della Torre’s Ristretto cronologico (1729), a chronologically arranged life of Vincent, notable for including details not found in Abelly’s work. The third, by Gilbert Noiret, also from 1729, closely follows Della Torre’s format. A Latin compendium published in 1737 by the Sacred Congregation of Rites concludes the collection. These texts provide valuable insight into the evolving image of Vincent and the foundations of the “Vincentian legend.”
References
Abelly, Louis. 1664. La Vie du Vénérable Serviteur de Dieu Vincent de Paul, Instituteur et Premier Supérieur Général de la Congrégation de la Mission : Divisée en Trois Livres.
Bonnet, Jean-Baptiste. 1820. La Vie de Saint Vincent de Paul.
Collet, Pierre. 1748. La vie de Saint Vincent de Paul, instituteur de la Congrégation de la Mission et des Filles de la Charité, deux livres.
Coste, Pierre C.M. 1932. Le grand saint du grand siècle, Monsieur Vincent. Trois Livres.
Maynard, Abbé Ulysse. 1860. Saint Vincent de Paul : sa vie, son temps, ses œuvres, son influence (Four Volumes)
Maynard, Abbé Ulysse. 1873. Vie de Saint Vincent de Paul (Abridged version estracted from the four volumes).
Maynard, Abbé Ulysse. 1877. Virtues and Spiritual Doctrine of St. Vincent de Paul (Focuses on the spiritual teachings, preaching style, and virtues of Vincent de Paul—intended for preachers and pious readers seeking doctrinal insight rather than life narrative (Amazon).
Noiret, Gilbert C.M. 1729. Abrégé de la vie et des vertus du bienheureux Vincent de Paul, instituteur de la Congrégation de la Mission et des Filles de la Charité [Summary of the life and virtues of the Blessed Vincent de Paul, founder of the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity].
Rousset, Edouard. 1878. Notices bibliographiques sur les écrivains de la Congrégation de la Mission. Angoulême.
de’ Rossi, Antonio. 1729. A Chronological Listing of the Life, Virtues, and Miracles of Blessed Vincent De Paul Founder of the Congregation of the Mission, and of the Servants of the Poor, called the Daughters of Charity. Dedicated to His Holiness of Our Lord, Pope BENEDICT XIII. Rome, MDCCXXIX [Published] by, on Strada del Seminario Romano.
della Torre, Bernardo C.M., (1706-1749). He wrote Ristretto cronologico della vita virtù e miracoli del Beato Vincenzo de Paoli fondatore della Congregazione della Missione e delle serve de’poveri, dette le Figlie della Carità [Chronological listing of the life, virtues, and miracles of Blessed Vincent de Paul].
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Copyright (c) 2025 John E. Rybolt, C.M. (Author)
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