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Showing posts with the label St. Vincent Ferrer

Saint Dominic, Priest and Founder

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Memorial – August 8th The Martyrology gives the following: "At Bologna (upper Italy) the holy confessor Dominic, the saintly and learned founder of the Order of Preachers. He preserved his virginity inviolate and gained for himself the grace of raising three dead persons to life. By his word he crushed heresy in the bud and led many souls to piety and to religious life." He was notable for his learning and love of poverty. Born about 1175 in Castile (Spain), Dominic hailed from the illustrious Guzman family. First he was a canon regular at Osma; then he founded the Dominican Order, which was approved in 1216. Alongside the Franciscans, it became the most powerful Order in medieval times, giving the Church illustrious preachers — St. Vincent Ferrer, and contemplatives, Sts. Thomas of Aquinas and Pius V — and contributing immeasurably to maintaining the purity of the faith. Through the example of apostolic poverty and the preaching of the word of God the Friar Preacher

Saint Vincent Ferrer, the "Angel of the Judgment"

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April 5th, is the optional memorial of Saint Vincent Ferrer, the 14th century Dominican priest who was instrumental in helping end the Western Schism or Papal Schism. Throughout her history, the Church has weathered many crises, and 600 years ago, St. Vincent Ferrer found himself in the midst of a major divide. The Church, and the papacy in particular, was going through a time of unprecedented upheaval, governed for 36 years by two and sometimes three "popes," with immense confusion as to who the true successor of Peter was. St. Vincent was born in Valencia, Spain in 1350. Against his parent’s wishes, he entered the Dominican Order at the age of 19, and was later ordained. A great scholar and master theologian, he knew the entire Bible by heart. He was also a renowned homilist, preaching throughout Europe. Jews, infidels and heretics were converted by his sermons on the true faith. The most obdurate sinners embraced a life of holiness. The favorite topic of his sermons w

April 5th | Optional Memorial of Saint Vincent Ferrer

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St. Vincent Ferrer [1350-1419] is the patron of builders because of his dedication to "building up" and strengthening the Church: through his preaching, missionary work, in his teachings, as a confessor and an adviser. St. Vincent Ferrer  was born in Valencia, Spain, and died in Vannes, Britany. He was a great scholar and became Master of Theology — he knew the entire Bible by heart. He was also a great preacher who spoke throughout Europe. Jews, infidels and heretics were converted by his sermons on the true faith. The most obdurate sinners embraced a life of holiness. For twenty-one years he traveled to England, Scotland, Ireland, Aragon, Castile, France, Switzerland, and Italy, preaching the Gospel. It is believed that he could speak only Valencian, but was endowed with the gift of tongues. The favorite topic of his sermons was the final judgment. He repeated over and over the words of the prophet, "Arise, ye dead, and come to the judgment." A renowned wonder