SAN VICENTE DE PAUL PARISH

San Vicente de Paul Parish is located in San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila beside of Adamson University’s CS walkway and SV building. The parish was originally built as a chapel in 1883 and used as parish church of Paco from 1898 to 1909. The concrete parish church was built in 1912 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the Vincentians and sisters of charity in the Philippines

The church was total renovated in 2010. It was almost razed to the ground when the American forces enter Manila in 1945. Japanese burned the interior of the church in February 1945 when their defeat was imminent.

St. Vincent de Paul is often referred to as “The Apostle of Charity” and “The Father of the Poor” because he is the patron of all charitable societies. He was born on April 24, 1581 from a poor peasant family in the French Village of Pouy. His first education was provided by the Franciscans and continued his studies when he earned money for being a tutor at the University of Toulose to study theology. He was ordained in 1600 and remained to Toulose. He became a chaplain to the Count of Goigny and was placed in charge of distributing money to the poor. He became a pastor of a parish so he spent his life preaching missions and providing relief to the poor. Giving charity has been his passion all his life. St. Vincent de Paul cofounded the daughters of charity along with St. Louise de Marillac. The Bull of Canonization recognized Vincent for his charity and reform of the clergy as well as opposing in Jansenism He was 80 years old when he died in Paris on September 27, 1660 which is his feast day. He had become the symbol of successful reform of the French church.

The vision-mission of the church is aligned with the vision-mission of archdiocese of Manila. It is to bring people closer to God and to mould them to the likeness of their patron saint who is St. Vincent de Paul who has a heart for the poor. In line with this they also want to deepen the spirituality and devotion of the people together as one community. They also aim to be a community that is called by God.

The church has different activities, first is part of the worship which is strengthening the devotion. They have procession every first Saturday of the month to different places around their area. In terms of education there are already series of formation that is in progress. In services, they have feeding program to sick people and to children, in line with this they also have an activity wherein they sell goods for a cheap price compared to the market. They call their store as “Tindahan ni Enteng” which is the name of St. Vincent de Paul.

They have activities to encourage people to join them by campaigning and posting announcements in the bulletin board. They also have bible sharing every Sunday for the people to come and the parish may be part of the lay ministry. They have 2 feast days which is on September 27 for the patron saint and November 27 for devotion of their lady of miraculous medal.

The church’s mission was very heart whelming because who would not want to help the poor. They are really a community that is poor centered. The patron saint of the church is known for charities that’s why it’s good to see that the church is doing activities following the footstep of their patron saint. Helping the poor is the greatest achievement you could ever done because they are the treasured ones, they have the spirit of Christ though we also have Christ in us but then we can see more on them. I just wish that the parish church will help all the poor not just in Manila but also in different areas outside Manila because there are a lot of poor people in our country. I as a student is also joining some charitable work, because my advocacy when I joined a contest is to give charity to the poor. In helping people you can feel the happiness that is not worth any cents. This church has a mission which will led to the better formation of the world where in they will focus on charity works.

For other inquiries you may call the Parish on these contact no.

525 7853 / 524 2022 loc. 101