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a week agoDio Wheeling-CharlestonHe lived hundreds of years ago, but his mission and messages are still inspiring today.
Saint Vincent Ferrer’s feast day is today, April 5.
This Dominican missionary priest lived in the 14th and 15th centuries. He performed countless miracles during his life, and converting about 10,000 Jews at one time after preaching to them in their synagogue.
The saint traveled with a group of Dominican friars as missionaries in Spain, Italy, France, and Germany among others. Like the Apostles after Pentecost, those who heard the Word of God through St. Vincent Ferrer reported that they heard and understood his words in their own language.
Saint Vincent Ferrer wrote the Treatise on a Spiritual Life as guidance and advice for clergy to speak simply and lovingly to those they want to evangelize. He directs them not to be arrogant or pompous in their position, but humble.
Let his words inspire all of us to share the Gospel and when doing so speak and listen like a loving father, confident yet humble in a spirit of compassion.
To clergy he wrote, “In sermons and talks, use simple language and a homely conversational style to explain each particular point…. Speak rather out of the depths of love and fatherly care, like a father suffering for his sinful children, as if they were gravely ill, or trapped in a deep pit, whom he is trying to draw out and set free, and look after like a mother. You must be like one who delights in their progress, and in the glory in heaven that they are hoping for…. In this way, your words of sweetness and love will have a more penetrating effect.”
The photo with this picture was taken at St. Isidore Church in Manhattan.