St. Vincent Ferrer

Vincent Ferrer was born on January 23, 1357, in Valencia, Spain.  In 1374, he entered the Order of St. Dominic, and soon after his profession he was commissioned to deliver lectures on philosophy. On being sent to Barcelona, he continued his scholastic duties and at the same time devoted himself to preaching. At Lerida, the famous university city of Catalonia, he received his doctorate. 

During this time, the Western Schism divided Christianity first between two, then three, popes. In 1394, Benedict XIII, the Pope at Avignon, summoned St. Vincent and made him Master of the sacred palace. In this capacity St. Vincent made unsuccessful efforts to put an end to the great schism. He began those labors that made him the famous missionary of the fourteenth century. He evangelized nearly every province of Spain; and preached in France, Italy, Germany, Flanders, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Numerous conversions followed his preaching. He lived to behold the end of the great schism and the election of Pope Martin V. 

Vincent Ferrer died April 5, 1419. Heis a patron saint of builders because of his fame for "building up" and strengthening the Church: through his preaching and missionary work, in his teachings, and as confessor and adviser.  His feast day is April 5.