St. Vincent Ferrer

Vincent Ferrer was born January 23, 1350 in Valencia, Spain. His parents, William Ferrer and Constantia Miguel belonged to the minor nobility. Vincent was a brilliant student and completed his study of philosophy at age fourteen. He entered the Dominican order in 1367 and taught philosophy. He had the gift of prophecy and during a famine in Barcelona, he predicted the exact arrival of several shiploads of wheat. From 1385 to 1390, he taught theology at Valencia. He was greatly admired, but refused the position of cardinal when it was offered to him. After a serious illness, from which he experienced a miraculous recovery, the priest began preaching throughout Spain and in other countries the need to repentant and prepare for judgment; he believed the end of world was near. Thousands of people followed the spell-binding preacher in his travels. Many miracles occurred in response to his prayers. He was also called as arbitrator of political and spiritual disputes. At this time, there were two men both claiming to be the legitimately elected pope: Benedict XIII and Gregory XII. Although he supported Benedict, Father Ferrer tried to get both men to resign for the good of the Church, so that a new papal election could be held. He also helped to elect Ferdinand of Castile to the throne. St. Vincent Ferrer died in Brittany on April 5, 1419. He was canonized in 1455.