St. Vincent Ferrer earned the distinction of being the patron saint of builders due to his renowned efforts in "building up" and fortifying the Church. His impactful contributions included his powerful preaching and missionary works, his wise teachings, and his role as a trusted confessor and adviser. He was born in Valencia, Spain, on 23 January 1350 to William Ferrer and Constantia Miguel, both of noble origin.
Vincent practiced rigorous self-discipline, fasting twice a week and giving alms to the poor. At the age of eighteen, he entered the Dominican Order of Preachers. Vincent, as a seminarian, dedicated himself to memorizing a significant portion of the Bible. By age 28, he was renowned for his preaching and known to have a gift of prophecy. In 1379, he was ordained a Catholic priest in Barcelona.
Vincent evangelized throughout France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Germany, England, Scotland, and Ireland, mostly on foot and poorly clad. His well-prepared sermons drew crowds so huge that no church could be found large enough to hold them, and he had to address them in public squares. Vincent's remarkable ability to speak in different languages was evident during his travels to these countries. He effortlessly connected with people of various languages, touching their hearts and awakening their consciences with his powerful words. Everywhere, stupendous miracles of healing accompanied his progress.
The schism under which the Church was then suffering grieved Vincent greatly. Yet, to him goes the supreme credit for having ended the 36-year-long period of disharmony. Having decisively concluded that Benedict XIII was the antipope, Vincent did not hesitate to urge him, a personal friend of long-standing, to resign in favor of Clement VII, but to no avail. Disgusted with such stubbornness, Vincent, though ill, finally mounted the pulpit before a huge assembly over which Benedict himself was presiding. He thundered his denunciation of the man who had ordained him a priest. Benedict instantly fled, abandoned by all his supporters! St. Vincent Ferrer lived to behold the end of the schism and died in Brittany on 5 April 1419.
St. Vincent Ferrer, obtain for us the courage and wisdom to preach and live the Gospel.
Prepared and updated by:
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.
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