St Vincent Ferrer – Saint Of The Day – 5 April
St Vincent Ferrer. A Domenican monk from Spain. A Preacher and a missionary.
Vincent Ferrer was born in 1350 in Valencia (modern Spain) to a family of a notary. He was named after Vincent Martyr, the patron saint of Valencia. He began studying classical studies at the age of eight, and his study of theology and philosophy at fourteen. At the age of eighteen, Vincent entered the Dominican Order (aka Black Friars – because of the black cloak they wear over their white habits).
In 1379 was ordained a Catholic priest at Barcelona. He became a Master of Sacred Theology and was commissioned by the Order to deliver lectures on philosophy. He was then sent to Barcelona and eventually to the University of Lleida, where he earned his doctorate in theology.
For twenty-one years he was said to have traveled to England, Scotland, Ireland, Aragon, Castile, France, Switzerland, and Italy, preaching the Gospel.
Vincent Ferrer is said to have been responsible for the conversion of many Jews to Catholicism, allegedly by questionable means. For instance, by strongly encouraging the conversion he even consecrated synagogues as churches.
Vincent died on 5 April 1419 at Vannes in Brittany, at the age of 69.
Iconologia of St Vincent Ferrer: – Lofty forehead and very distinct features – Symbols of Spanish Counter-Reformation – the Dominican habit – the light (fire) that shines on his head – the finger held up like that of Christ in the Last Judgment – the trumpet
