Vincent Ferrer
Spanish Dominican preacher and saint (1350–1419)
Patron of Places
Valencian Community (Spain)AmendolaraAteletaBiniarroiBonrepòs i MirambellCalamonaciCalapeCamerotaCannoleCasale sul SileCastell'UmbertoCastelterminiCelle di San VitoCersosimoCervinoCeseCorberaCusagoDurazzanoEcheandíaFalloFiscianoGarrufoGombioItajáLa ManáLeon B. PostigoLettopalenaMagliano AlfieriMontebuonoNigüellaPiaggePiccianoPietrabbondanteSan Benedetto dei MarsiSan Giovanni TeatinoSan NazzaroSan Severino LucanoSan Vicente del RaspeigSan VincenzoSerrara Fontana
Patron of Causes
BuildersConstruction workersBricklayersFaculty of Economic and Business Sciences (Complutense University of Madrid)Faculty of Commerce and Tourism (Complutense University of Madrid)
BornValencia (1350)
DiedVannes (1419)
CountryKingdom of Valencia
VocationsDominican friar, Catholic priest, Missionary preacher, Theologian, Writer
Biography
Saint Vincent Ferrer was born on January 23, 1350, in Valencia, Spain, into a devout family. From childhood he embraced fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, and as a young man entered the Dominican Order, persevering through strong temptations to abandon his vocation. Ordained a priest in Barcelona, he became a gifted theologian and logician, teaching and preaching with clarity and ardor.
During the turmoil of the Western Schism, Vincent supported Benedict XIII while also laboring for unity in the Church, a struggle that weighed heavily on him. For more than two decades he traveled widely through Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, and the British Isles as a missionary preacher. Many believed he was granted the gift of tongues, and countless people were moved to repentance and renewed faith through his direct, popular style. He also helped his homeland during the Compromise of Caspe, publicly proclaiming Ferdinand as king of Aragon.
Vincent died at Vannes in Brittany on April 5, 1419, and was canonized in 1455. His feast day is April 5.