...But as a young priest, he was less interested in reform than in his own income. In time he acquired several prestigious positions, including chaplain to the wealthy De Gondi family. It was there while ministering to the tenants on their vast estates that he discovered his life's mission. It happened over time as he identified three major problems in seventeenth century France: religious ignorance, poorly trained clergy, and widespread poverty.
...Through these various groups, Vincent addressed the needs of the poor, the sick, orphans, refugees, the elderly. He could be quite persuasive. On one occasion, when a group of volunteers debated whether they could continue their work with orphans, he told them:
You know, you became the mothers of these children by grace, when their mothers by nature deserted them, and I am now going to take your votes to find out what you want to do about them. Cease to be their mothers and become their judges. Their life and death are in your hands. If you keep on caring for them, they are going to live, to be brought up Catholics; but if you give up this work, they are going to die. All your experience with them teaches you that. So now, vote!
They voted unanimously, to continue.
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