Saint Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon & Martyr –Image: Catholic Fire
(Franciscan Media) When Jesus deliberately began his ‘journey to death on the Cross’ Luke said that He ‘set his face to go to Jerusalem.’ (Luke 9:51) It is this quality of rock like courage that distinguishes the martyrs.
Most of what we know about St. Vincent, comes from the poet Prudentius, his ‘Acts’ have been rather freely colored by the imagination of their compiler but St. Augustine in one of his sermons on St. Vincent, speaks of having the ‘Acts’ of his martyrdom before him–We are at least sure of his name, his being a Deacon, the place of his death and burial.
According to the story we have (and as some of the early martyrs) the unusual devotion that he inspired, must have had a basis in a very heroic life.
Vincent was ordained a Deacon by his friend St. Valerius of Zaragossa in Spain. The Roman emperors had published their decrees against the Clergy in 303 and the following year against the laity. Vincent and his Bishop Valerius, were imprisoned in Italy Valencia, hunger and torture failed to break them. Like the three young men Shadrach, Meshach and Abed’nego that Nebuchadnezzar ordered thrown into the fiery furnace for not serving his false god or worshiping the golden image. (Daniel 3:12-30) Vincent and his Bishop seemed to thrive on suffering.
Valerius was sent into exile and Dacian the Roman governor, now turned the full force of his fury on Vincent–tortures of varying kind were attempted but their main effect was the progressive disintegration of Dacian himself–he had the tortures then beaten because they failed.
Finally he suggested a compromise. Would Vincent at least give up the sacred books to be burned according to the Emperor’s decree? Vincent refused–Torture on the gridiron continued, Vincent remaining courageous, the Torturer began losing control of himself.
Subsequently Vincent was thrown into a filthy prison cell, there he converted the Jailer. Dacian wept with rage but strangely enough, ordered Vincent to be given some rest.
Friends among the faithful came to visit Vincent but he was to have no earthly rest. When they finally settled him on a comfortable bed, Vincent passed away to his eternal rest.
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