Saint Vincent Pallotti

Life story

Vincent Pallotti was born on 21 April 1795 in Rome into a merchant family. He studied philosophy and theology at the Sapienza university, was ordained a priest in 1818 and earned a doctorate in theology. He could have followed an academic career, but chose to spend most of his time in ministry among the people of Rome.

He heard confessions, preached and organised evening classes for young artisans and labourers. He also looked after orphans and the poor of the city, and urged lay people to share in apostolic work rather than leaving it only to priests. Biographers also describe his visits to the sick, to prisoners and to the dying. Biographers describe him as a man who gave away much of what he owned and took little rest, and who was widely sought out as a confessor by people of every background, from prelates to street labourers.

In 1835 he founded the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, made up of priests, religious and lay people, with the aim of coordinating everyone's apostolic work. The society later became known as the Pallottines. From 1836 he also organised the Epiphany octave at the church of Sant'Andrea della Valle, where services were held in a variety of rites and languages.

He died on 22 January 1850 in Rome. He was beatified in 1950 and canonised by Pope John XXIII on 20 January 1963. The Church keeps his feast on 22 January.

Works and witness

• Ordained a priest in 1818 and earned a doctorate in theology
• Ran evening classes for young workers and cared for orphans in Rome
• Founded the Society of the Catholic Apostolate in 1835, including lay members
• Organised the Epiphany octave at Sant'Andrea della Valle from 1836
• Died in Rome in 1850; canonised in 1963

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Martyrologium Romanum
• Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
• Catholic Apostolate Center, profile of Saint Vincent Pallotti

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.