Patron of BuildersAt Valencia in Spain, this illustrious follower of St. Dominic came into the world on January 23, 1357. In the year 1374, he entered the Order of St. Dominic in a monastery near his native city. Soon after his profession he was commissioned to deliver lectures on philosophy. On being sent to Barcelona, he continued his scholastic duties and at the same time devoted himself to preaching.
At Lerida, the famous university city of Catalonia, Vincent received his Doctorate. After this he labored six years in Valencia, during which time he perfected himself in the Christian life. in 1390, he was obliged to accompany Cardinal Pedro de Luna to France, but he soon returned home. When, in 1394, de Luna himself had become Pope at Avignon he summoned St. Vincent and made him master of the sacred palace. In this capacity St. Vincent made unsuccessful efforts to put an end great schism. He refused all ecclesiastical dignities, even the cardinal’s hat, and only craved to be appointed an apostolic missionary. Now began those labors that made him the famous missionary of the 14th century.
Vincent evangelized nearly every province of Spain, and preached in France, Italy, Germany, Flanders, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Numerous conversions followed his preaching, which God Himself assisted by the gift of miracles. Though the Church was then divided by the great schism, the Saint was honorably received in the districts subject to the two claimants to the Papacy. He was even invited to Mohammedan Granada, where he preached the Gospel with much success. He lived to behold the end of the great schism and the election of Pope Martin V. Finally, crowed with labors, he died April 5, 1419, and was canonized in 1455 by Pope Callistus III.
PRAYER: God, You raised up St. Vincent Your Priest for a ministry of evangelical preaching. Grant that we may see him reigning in heaven who while on earth proclaimed the future judgment. Amen.