Marguerite Naseau, a 34 year old woman from the countryside in Suresnes, taught herself to read by asking those whom she met along the road to help her.  She worked in her village with other young girls teaching children to read.  Her only intention was to serve God.  She met Vincent de Paul with other priests of the Congregation of the Mission during one of his Missions of Evangelization.  In 1630 she met up with Vincent and Louise in Paris.  They suggested that she help the Ladies of the Confraternities.

Louise had the idea that young women, like Marguerite, could assure the concrete, daily service of the poorest people.  Vincent was happy that the simple country girls could come to the aid of those in need.  But the idea of creating two distinct groups from different social classes, with the Ladies on one side and the “humble country girls” on the other didn’t seem appropriate.  After three years of reflection, their ideas came together.

Three stories, three vocations intersect and join together to serve those who are poor.  The difficulties in the confraternities finally opened the way to a new creation: the Company of the Daughters of Charity was born on November 29, 1633.

The Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul is known as the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul Society in India.