Thought for the Day – 22 January – The Memorial of St Vincent of Saragossa (Died 304) – Deacon and Martyr – The Protomartyr of Spain
From a sermon by Saint Augustine (354-430)
Father & Doctor of the Church
“To you has been granted in Christ’s behalf not only that you should believe in Him but also that you should suffer for Him. Vincent had received both these gifts and held them as his own. For how could he have them if he had not received them? And he displayed his faith in what he said, his endurance in what he suffered. No one ought to be confident in his own strength when he undergoes temptation. For whenever we endure evils courageously, our long-suffering comes from Him,Christ. He once said to His disciples: “In this world you will suffer persecution,” and then, to allay their fears, He added, “but rest assured, I have conquered the world.”
There is no need to wonder then, my dearly beloved brothers, that Vincent conquered in Him who conquered the world. It offers temptation to lead us astray; it strikes terror into us to break out spirit. Hence if our personal pleasures do not hold us captive and if we are not frightened by brutality, then the world is overcome. At both of these approaches Christ rushes to our aid and the Christian is not conquered.”
St Vincent of Saragossa, pray for us!
Prayer of St Vincent of Saragossa (Died 304)
Everlasting God,
to whom all hidden things
are revealed,
who sent into the world
Your Only Begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
conceived through the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
that He might take on Himself
the punishment of our sins
and by His resurrection,
snatch us from the gates of hell,
grant to our hearts
such steadfastness of faith
that confessing Christ, Your Son,
we may not perish
but may be joined to Him
in the confession
of Your Holy Name.
Amen.
AnaStpaul 