St. Vincent Ferrer, O.P. Confessor, A.D. 1419.
by VP
Posted on Sunday April 05, 2026 at 12:00AM in Saints
"No, I do not believe that there ever existed in the world so much
pomp and vanity, so much impurity, as at the present day; to find in the
world's epoch so criminal, we must go to the days of Noe and the
universal deluge. The inns in the cities and villages are filled with
persons of abandoned character; they are so numerous that the entire
world is infected by them... Avarice and usury increase under the
disguised name of contracts, simony reigns among the clergy, envy among
the religious. Gluttony prevails to such an extent in every rank of
social life that the fasts of Lent, the vigils and Ember days, are no
longer observed... In a word, vice is held in such great honour that
those who prefer the service of God to that of the world are held up to
scorn as useless and unworthy members of society." Source: St. Vincent of Ferrer, The Angel of the Judgment, by Fr. Andrew Pradel, O.P.
"St. Vincent brought with him into the world a happy disposition for learning and piety, which were improved by a good education. In order to subdue his passions, he fasted from his childhood every Wednesday and Friday. The Passion of Christ was always the object of his tender devotion. The Blessed Virgin he ever honoured as his spiritual Mother. Looking on the poor as the members of Christ, he treated them with the greatest affection and charity. Having taken the habit of the Dominicans, he made surprising progress in perfection, taking St. Dominic for his model. The arms which he employed against the devil were prayer, penance, and perpetual watchfulness over every impulse of his passions. His heart was always fixed on God, and he made his studies, labour, and all other actions a continued prayer. He led a very mortified life, never eating flesh, nor wearing linen. His whole employment was in preaching the gospel, in converting Jews and Infidels to the Christian faith, and sinners to a holy life. He never passed a day wherein he gave not instructions to those who were assembled at prayers with him. Though by his sermons thousands were moved to give their possessions to the poor, the saint never accepted any thing himself; and was no less scrupulous in cultivating in his heart the virtue and spirit of obedience, than that of poverty; for which reason he declined accepting any dignity in the Church, or superiority in his Order. He was favoured with the gift of miracles, and cured innumerable sick wherever he came, also raised a dead man to life, in presence of a great multitude. He continued his preaching and labours to the last; and worn out with age and infirmity, died on the 5th of April, 1419, being sixty-two years old.
Pray for all of his
character and function, that they may partake of his spirit and zeal,
that they may faithfully labour in the vineyard, and not permit
ignorance and vice to spread through their silence and neglect. Pray
likewise that you may do your part in giving good example to all. A holy
life is a continual sermon, by which you may draw others from error
and vice, and make a much better defence of the truth than by hot
disputing. And remember that a bad life is a contradiction of all your
pretended zeal, and the greatest injury you can do to truth." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
This wonderful apostle, the "Angel of the Judgment," was born in
Valencia in Spain, in 1350, and at the age of eighteen professed in the
Order of Saint Dominic. After a brilliant course of study he became
master of sacred theology. For three years he read only the Scriptures,
and knew the whole Bible by heart. He converted the Jews of Valencia,
and their synagogue became a church. Grief at the great schism then
afflicting the Church reduced him to the point of death; but Our Lord
Himself in glory bade him go forth to convert sinners, " for My judgment
is nigh." This miraculous apostolate lasted twenty-one years. He
preached throughout Europe, in the towns and villages of Spain,
Switzerland, France, Italy, England, Ireland, Scotland. Everywhere tens
of thousands of sinners were reformed; Jews, infidels, and heretics were
converted. Stupendous miracles enforced his words. Twice each day the
"miracle bell" summoned the sick, the blind, the lame to be cured.
Sinners the most obdurate became saints speaking only his native
Spanish, he was understood in all tongues. Processions of ten thousand
penitents followed him in perfect order. Convents, orphanages,
hospitals, arose in his path. Amidst all, his humility remained
profound, his prayer constant. He always prepared for preaching by
prayer. Once, however, when a person of high rank was to be present at
his sermon he neglected prayer for study. The nobleman was not
particularly struck by the discourse which had been thus carefully
worked up; but coming again to hear the Saint, unknown to the latter,
the second sermon made a deep impression on his soul. When Saint Vincent
heard of the difference, he remarked that in the first sermon it was
Vincent who had preached, but in the second, Jesus Christ. He fell ill
at Vannes in Brittany, and received the crown of everlasting glory in 1419.
Reflection: "Whatever you do," said Saint Vincent, "think not of yourself, but of God." In this spirit, he preached, and God spoke by him; in this spirit, if we listen, we shall hear the voice of God. Source: Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, 1925
Prayer to Saint Vincent Ferrer:Reflection: "Whatever you do," said Saint Vincent, "think not of yourself, but of God." In this spirit, he preached, and God spoke by him; in this spirit, if we listen, we shall hear the voice of God. Source: Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints, 1925
O glorious Apostle and Wonderworker, Saint Vincent Ferrer, new Angel of the Apocalypse and our gracious Protector, deign to accept our humble prayer, and draw down upon us an abundance of divine favors. Through the love with which your heart is inflamed, obtain for us from the Father of Mercies the forgiveness of all our sins, steadfastness in faith, and perseverance in good works, so that, living as good and fervent Christians, we may render ourselves worthy of your powerful protection.
Extend this protection, too, over our bodies, and deliver us from every infirmity. Preserve our fields from the ravages of storm and hail, and ward off other misfortunes from us. Thus favored by you in the blessings of both spirit and body, we shall remain ever devoted to you, and one day we shall go to heaven to praise God with you, for ever and ever. Amen.
Translated from the French: Prière à Saint Vincent Ferrier. Manuel des indulgences, Paris 1897
Prayer to Saint Vincent Ferrer: O, Holy Saint Vincent, glorious confessor, whom as thou didst ascend the
heavens a mighty choir of angels issued forth to greet. lead us also,
we beseech thee, as we sing thy name with frequent praise to the sacred
kingdoms of the blessed.
V. Pray for us, blessed Vincent.
P. That we be made worthy of the promises of Christ.Let us pray: O God, who by the wonderful preaching of blessed Vincent, thy confessor, hast brought a multitude of nations to acknowledge thy Holy Name, grant, we beseech thee, that we may merit to receive as our reward in heaven the judge whom he announced would come on earth, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
