Saint Vincent Ferrer
A Dominican from Valencia who preached across Europe during the Great Schism
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Priest, Religious, Missionary
- Life
- 1350 – 1419
- Era
- 15th century
- Feast
- 5 April
- Countries
- Spain, France
Life story
Vincent was born in 1350 in Valencia. He joined the Dominican Order in 1367, studied philosophy and theology, and taught in several houses in the Crown of Aragon. He lived through the Western Schism, when two and later three men claimed to be pope and the Christians of Europe were divided. Over the following years he built a reputation as a gifted theologian and spiritual guide.
At first Vincent sided with the Avignon popes, Clement VII and then Benedict XIII, the Aragonese Pedro de Luna, and served as adviser and confessor to the latter. As time passed he grew increasingly troubled by the division. In 1399 he left the papal court and began a preaching mission on the road that lasted more than twenty years.
He travelled through Spain, southern France, Switzerland, northern Italy and the Low Countries, preaching to large crowds. His sermons called for repentance, an end to cursing and the reconciliation of quarrels. Sources of the time describe large crowds, and later accounts credit him with miracles. He also took part in the choice of a new king of Aragon after the death of Martin I, and was present at Caspe in 1412.
In 1416 he urged Benedict XIII to resign in order to end the schism, and when the pope refused he publicly withdrew his obedience. He continued his mission in Brittany and died at Vannes on 5 April 1419. Pope Callixtus III canonised him in 1455.
Works and witness
- Joined the Dominicans in 1367 and taught in Aragon
- From 1399 preached across Spain, France, Switzerland and Italy
- Took part in the choice of a king of Aragon at Caspe in 1412
- Urged Benedict XIII in 1416 to resign to end the schism
- Died at Vannes in 1419; canonised in 1455
Saints from the same country
References
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
- Vincent Ferrer, Tractatus de vita spirituali
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.