Vincent Ferrer

Vincent Ferrer, Valencian Vicent Ferrer ( * January 23, 1350 in Valencia, † April 5, 1419 in Vannes ) was a Valencian Dominican friar and preacher known. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Life

Vicent Ferrer came from a Valencian family, his younger brother Boniface was already entered the Carthusian order in which he should reach the dignity of a religious general.

Vicent even joined in 1367 at the age of seventeen he entered the Dominican Order, and initially studied logic in Valencia and Barcelona, ​​then philosophy in Lleida; further studies - among other things theology and the Hebrew language - took him from 1372 to 1374 again to Barcelona, but also to about 1384 to the French Toulouse.

After finishing his studies, he was first to the prior of the convent in his native town, and there just appointed a lecturer in theology at the School of the Cathedral connected. In 1389 he was elected to the General preacher of the province.

In 1378 the Western Schism, the time of the schism with popes and anti-popes in Avignon, France began. Very early Ferrer moved into position in favor of the Avignon anti-popes, whose legality he was deeply convinced. In Valencia, he established not only first and soon close contacts with the Aragonese royal court, but also made ​​the acquaintance of Cardinal Pedro de Luna. This paved the way for him to avignonesische Curia, where he held various positions; as de Luna finally even as Benedict XIII. Was (counter ) Pope, Ferrer served as his confessor. The refusal of the Pope against all efforts towards unity of the Church and the disappointment of the resulting continuation of the schism, however, led to the fact that Ferrer finally withdrew from the Curia.

Through a vision Ferrer found himself appointed to the wandering preacher, whose job was mainly in the proclamation of the faith. From 1399, he moved first to Spain, then through southern France and Savoy, and thus came to Upper Italy.

1409 he returned to Spain, where he was able to establish itself as a confessor of the Kings with considerable influence. He was involved as a deputy Valencia on compromise of Caspe in which the succession question was settled after the late Martin of Aragon in favor of Ferdinand of Anquetera. In Valencia he made about this time the acquaintance of the young canon Alonso de Borja, which he prophesied that he once - will the Sedis Petri hold - after Ferrer's death. In fact, Alonso de Borja as Calixtus III was. 1455 elected Pope.

In the years 1412/14 Ferrer moved as an eschatological preacher by Castile and Aragon. His personal charisma and the prophecies from the near end of the world led to many conversions among Jews and Moors. In 1391 he was still opposed the forced baptisms of Jews. But now wore his sermons themselves to tightening of anti-Jewish sentiment and legislation.

When negotiations between the envoys of the Council of Constance, King Sigismund and Benedict XIII. threaten to fail, Ferrer took a change of his previous point of view. On April 6, 1416, he announced Benedict, who was only one of two anti-popes, the followers of the Spanish public on what the Aragonese king allowed to join the Council of Constance.

This could now present with the election of Pope Martin V. from the Italian noble family of Colonna and the discontinuation of all other popes a generally accepted Vicar of Christ, and finally end the schism.

Then, in his last years, Ferrer went on again preacher journey that took him to Brittany. He died there on April 5, 1419 in Vannes, where he was buried in the local cathedral.

Importance

In addition to his church-political importance through its contribution to ending the schism he gained importance especially as a charismatic preacher. In addition, he wrote several theological treatises. His personal charisma, his easy life, but in particular the announcement of an impending world destruction as the expected battle against the Antichrist gave him an enormous popularity. However, its end time visions fanatical his followers often to such an extent that it even came to anti-Jewish pogroms; they ultimately also led to the fact that the Spanish policy in matters of faith, especially in the position against the Spanish Judaism, radicalized.

His canonization took place already in 1455 by Calixtus III. , Which he had once predicted the pontificate.

Patronages

The saint is the patron saint of Valencia and Vannes and the professions roofers, woodworkers, lead foundry and brick makers. He is called in infertility, fever, headache, obsession and epilepsy as well as from dangers of all kinds. In addition, it should help a good marriage and a blessed death.

The attributes of the Holy count the fire in his hand, and the baptismal font.

Commemoration

Being a Catholic feast day is April 5. It is a day of remembrance not offered in general Roman calendar.

The name of the southern Spanish city of San Vicente del Raspeig reminiscent of Vincent Ferrer.

Bauer rule

The name day the farmer corresponding rule is:

• Is Saint Vincent sunshine, it brings a lot of grains.
• Is Saint Vincent Sunshine, there are many good wine.

Works

• Sermones de tempore et de Sanctis. Cologne, Heinrich Quentell 1485th ( digitized ) Volume 1
• Volume 2
• Volume 3

• Pars hiemalis
• Pars aestivalis

• Pars hiemalis
• Pars aestivalis
• Volume 3