SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL: (1581-1660) French Catholic Priest. Venerated both in the Catholic ...

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL: (1581-1660) French Catholic Priest. Venerated both in the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. Canonized in 1737 by Pope Clement XII. Vincent de Paul is known for his humility and for serving the poor. Extremely rare L.S., `Vincent de Paul I[ndigne] P[retre] d[e] l[a] M[ission]´, (''Vincent de Paul, Unworthy Priest of the Mission''), one page, 4to, Paris, 19th April 1658, to Monsieur Firmin Get, Prior of the mission in Marseille, in French. The written text is in the hand of Saint Vincent de Paul´s secretary Bertrand Ducournau, and states in part `..the grace of our Lord be with you.. I praise God for the trip you have made to Toulon and for the success..´. Vincent de Paul explains his intention to deliver in Tunisia a thousand additional pounds to Jean le Vacher, stating `..900 for him and 100 pounds for our dear de Romilly.´ a Christian slave of the Turkish, and further refers to other minor funds obtained for convicts. Small overall age wear, with a light professional repair to the verso, and upper edge trimmed, not affecting the text or signature. G £3000-4000

Vincent de Paul established a mission in Tunisia in 1648, appointing at the head of it Jean le Vacher (1619-1683), and trying to help and assist white Christians held as slaves. Jean le Vacher was appointed French consul and continued Vincent de Paul work after the priest passed away. Le Vacher died tied to a cannon refusing to apostatise when the local Dey obliged him to.