A CHRISTIAN HERO Vincent Ferrer was born in Valencia, in the southwest of Spain, on January 23, 1357. Vincent's father was a notary of the city of Valencia, a man well known for his religious principles and for his charity to the poor. It was his custom every year to make a careful calculation of how much was required for the support of his family, and to bestow all the rest in works of charity. The flower of his family was Vincent. In Vincent's earliest years his obedience and sweetness of temper were noticed by all, and even his playmates became better children because of his influence. When very young he began to show great devotion to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and to the hearing of sermons where he heard the praises of God, the Blessed Mother, and the Saints. Not only was Vincent remarkable for goodness and early piety; he also excelled in learning, but his modesty equalled his learning. When he was eighteen years of age he decided to enter the order of St. Dominic, and he was admitted to the novitiate early in February, 1374. His first care was to become well acquainted with the life of his new Father, St. Dominic, in order that he might imitate, as far as possible, the virtues of that great saint. Be sides the other religious virtues he noticed in St. Dominic, he was particularly struck with his love of sacred learning. From a study of St. Dominic's life our Vincent learned the great lesson of love for the Holy Scriptures. He studied the Bible day and night until he knew it almost by heart. All these things have been said about him to show with what care he prepared himself for the great work he was called upon to do for God. He lived at a time when many people seemed to think more of the pleasures of the world than of the joys of heaven. St. Vincent Ferrer, for as such we know him now, thought no study too difficult, no preparation too great, to prepare himself to deliver even one sermon on the necessity of serving God and on the means of salvation. Whenever he was sent to preach and teach, multitudes flocked to hear him, and the kings and princes honored him. The people received him as if he were one of the apostles. Until about the age of fifty-five, he was accustomed to walk from one place to another, often traveling all day under the hot sun or the heavy rain. Very early in the morning he entered the church in which he was to preach, unless the sermon, as happened frequently, was to be in the open air, that all might attend. First he sang Mass, that being his daily custom, and his face shone with heavenly joy, and tears glistened on his cheeks when he sang, with sweetest tones, "Sursum Corda," "Lift up you hearts." So great were his powers as a preacher and teacher of truth that in Spain alone he converted 25,000 Jews and THE DIVINE GUEST 203 8,000 Saracens. In places where he preached, not only while he remained, but for long after, vice seemed to have taken flight. No general of a large army ever won greater victories over his enemies than St. Vincent Ferrer won over sin and evil. The interesting things that might be told about his life would fill a large volume. He well deserves to be called "the most wonderful Christian hero of the fourteenth century." -Adapted from Rev. Bertrand Wilberforce, O. P. THE DIVINE GUEST It is related of Blessed Henry Suso, a holy Dominican friar, that each day as the hour of meals came round, he would kneel in spirit at the feet of Jesus and beg Him to become his Guest at the table. After earnestly making this request, the holy man would go to the table and conduct himself in every way as if our Lord were sitting opposite to him. He would ask Jesus to bless the food, he would speak in gentle tones, and frequently he would bow his head to salute the Divine Guest. It was his custom to drink but five draughts in honor of the five wounds. He often divided his food into three or four portions, for the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity and the Blessed Virgin. A portion from each was given for charity. ST. FRANCIS AND THE TURTLE DOVES Once upon a time a young man caught a number of turtle doves, and putting them in a basket he started for the market, intending to sell them. He thought he could soon dispose of such plump wild doves. On his way he met St. Francis, who looked at the doves with eyes of pity, and said to the young man: "O good youth, I pray you to give me these gentle birds. In the Holy Scriptures, good and humble souls are compared to doves." With the sweetest of looks and the most winning of voices he continued: "Give the doves to me, good youth, and do not allow cruel men to have them." The young man gave him the doves, and St. Francis pressed them to his bosom and said to them: "O my little sisters, simple and innocent doves, why have you let yourselves be snared? See, I will snatch you from death and make nests for you, wherein you may increase and multiply according to the commandments of our Creator." St. Francis made nests for them all, and soon there were eggs in the soft, warm beds. The doves sat on their eggs and seemed to have no fear of the Brothers. Indeed they were as tame as if they had always lived in a monastery with the good Fathers, instead of flying wild in the forest which had been their home before St. Francis took them. ST. FRANCIS AND THE TURTLE DOVES 205 When the eggs were hatched and the young doves were able to take care of themselves, St. Francis gave them his blessing and told them they might go back to their old home among the leafy trees. One morning they flew away. Before leaving it seemed as if they were trying to say goodby to St. Francis as they circled around his head and perched on his shoulders, and then spread their wings and flew off to their old home. St. Francis said to the young man who gave him the gentle turtle doves: "Little son, thou wilt yet be a Brother in this order and wilt serve Jesus Christ nobly." In time this came to pass, and the youth became a Franciscan. Brother and lived a noble life in the order. -Adapted from "The Little Flowers of St. Francis." Our grand business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies closely at hand. I would not enter on my list of friends -Carlyle. (Though graced with polished manners and fine sense, Yet wanting sensibility) the man Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm. -William Cowper. |