January 1
Vincent Mary Strambi (1745–1824)
Bishop
Roman Martyrology
At Rome, Saint Vincent Mary Strambi, bishop of Macerata and Tolentino, of the Congregation of the Passion, who governed the dioceses entrusted to him in holiness and was exiled for his fidelity to the Roman Pontiff.
Practical advice
Set aside some time or money today for another person’s need, and regard yourself as steward, not owner, of what God entrusts to you.
Biography
(Italian: Vincenzo Maria Strambi).
He was born at Civitavecchia into a hardworking family; his father was a pharmacist. He studied at the seminary of Montefiascone, then in Rome, afterward at the Piarists’ Collegio Nuovo, and finally at Viterbo. An only son, he renounced marriage. He was ordained a priest in 1767. Vincent never ceased developing his natural talents. He possessed a very lively intelligence joined to great practical sense. At only 21 the bishop of Montefiascone appointed him prefect of the seminary, and at 22, before he was a priest, rector of the seminary of Bagnoregio.
He was a skillful popular preacher, led spiritual exercises for the clergy and preached in several churches of Rome. An eminent spiritual director, he numbered several saints among his spiritual children, including Saint Gaspar del Bufalo and Blessed Anna Maria Taigi.
But his desire to consecrate himself to Christ did not stop at the priesthood. He wished to become a religious, first asking to enter the Vincentians and then the Capuchins. In his native city and during a retreat at Vetralla, he met Saint Paul of the Cross and was captivated by his personality and holiness. In 1768 Paul himself received him among the Passionists. To overcome his father’s opposition, however, he had to flee home. His father wrote to Saint Paul of the Cross asking him to send Vincent back to the family. The founder replied with an equally clear and decisive letter, making a prophecy: “You should rejoice exceedingly to see that the Lord has chosen your son to make him a great saint.” It was easy for Saint Paul to be a prophet.
Soon afterward he entered the Passionist novitiate at Monte Argentario, where he made religious profession in 1769. He held almost every office in the Order while working tirelessly as a missionary. He was esteemed by everyone, especially Saint Paul of the Cross. As a true Passionist, he was deeply devoted to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. His first book concerned the month of July, dedicated to the Most Precious Blood.
Saint Paul of the Cross died in 1775 after entrusting him with care of the Order. Vincent became his first biographer and the first postulator of his cause of beatification.
In 1801 he was chosen bishop of Macerata and Tolentino, following the model of Saint Charles Borromeo. He evangelized the people, provided human and spiritual formation for his clergy and seminarians, and gave preferential attention to the poor, prisoners and sick. He did not forget the sick and above all listened to the cry of the poor. “The poor,” he said, “are crying out, crying out.” His was a life spent from the beginning for the Church, the faithful and the Pope.
In 1808 he was exiled because he refused to swear allegiance to Napoleon, whose troops had occupied his diocese. He was sent first to Novara and then to Milan. After six years in exile he returned to Macerata in 1814 and had to reorganize the diocese once more.
In 1823 Leo XII wanted him in his residence as adviser and confessor. Vincent, wishing to imitate Christ to the end, offered his life for the Pontiff’s health and was heard: the Pope recovered and Vincent died unexpectedly. Pius XII canonized him in 1950.