Vincent, deacon and martyr (†304)

Biography

He was a deacon or assistant to the Bishop of Zaragoza, Spain, San Valerio. As the Bishop had difficulty speaking well, he entrusted Vincent with preaching Christian doctrine. The Emperor Diocletian decreed persecution against Christians and Governor Dacian had Bishop Valerius and his secretary Vincent imprisoned. They offered them many gifts and prizes if they left the religion of Christ. Vincent said: "We are willing to endure all possible suffering, as long as we remain faithful to the religion of Our Lord Jesus Christ." Then Dacian banished the Bishop and dedicated himself to making Vincent suffer the most horrible tortures. The first martyrdom was a torment called: "the rack", which consisted of tying cables to his feet and hands and pulling in four different directions at the same time. Vincent, faithful to his name which means "brave", endured this terrible ordeal praying and continuing to proclaim his love for Jesus Christ. The second torment was beating him. Vicente's body was massacred and covered in blood. But he continued to declare that he admitted no gods other than the true God, nor any religion except that of Christ. And the third torment came: the red-hot grill. They spread it on a very hot grill bristling with red-hot peaks. The executioners poured salt into their wounds. Vincent did nothing but praise and bless God. Saint Augustine says: "The one who suffered was Vincent, but the one who gave him such great value was God." When God sends a penalty, he also grants the courage to bear it. The tyrant ordered him to be taken to a dark dungeon whose floor was full of sharp glass and that he was left tied up and standing until the next day to continue tormenting him. The poet Prudencio says: "The dungeon was a place blacker than darkness itself; it was an eternal night where light never penetrated." But at midnight the dungeon was filled with light. Vicente's chains came loose. The floor was covered with flowers. Heavenly music was heard. And a voice told him: "Come brave martyr to join in Heaven with the group of those who love Our Lord." Upon hearing this beautiful message, Saint Vincent died of emotion. The jailer converted to Christianity, and the persecutor cried with rage the next day, feeling defeated by this brave deacon.