by Simon François de Tours (17th century)
In 1640, Louis XIII ordered Vincent de Paul, later canonized, to send a dozen missionaries to the duchies of Bar and Lorraine to help people suffering at the hands of the invading Swedish and occupying French forces. Contemporary records recall, in harrowing detail, what life was like — people were starving in huge numbers and the Church even received reports of cannibalism.
In preparation for his religious and charitable mission, St Vincent raised enough money to buy food and clothing for the poor and treat the sick. But, unlike conventional almsgiving exercises, this was a well-drilled operation. St Vincent and his missionaries drew up detailed lists of the people who most needed their help — vagabonds, women at risk of prostitution, and other groups. He also instructed congregations to take concerted, organized action instead of acting alone, however well-meaning their intentions.
St Vincent’s team collected funds, maintained records, oversaw distribution and kept a close eye on local clergymen as they went about their charitable work. As well as handing out food to people in urgent need, they distributed farming tools in an attempt to revive the local economy. In time, the missionaries passed the baton to the burgeoning local congregations and scaled back their involvement.
Interestingly, this was a case of charity and religion working side by side — an attempt to take care of body and soul at the same time and to dissuade people from turning to Protestantism. There was also an underlying political motive — to soften the impact of the military occupation, to position France as the saviour, and to win the hearts and minds of the people of Lorraine.
Sources: Fabienne Henryot, “Guerre Et Charité: L’action de Vincent de Paul en Lorraine (1637–1649)”, Archives ouvertes (4/11/2015). In Bertrand Forclaz and Philippe Martin, Religion Et Piété Au Défi De La Guerre De Trente Ans, Histoire, Rennes, Presses universitaires de Rennes, 2015.
