The limits of friendship

Vincent was a bright and devout young man. He heard the call of God and joined the Dominicans. As young as he was, he impressed many with the power of his spirituality and his eloquence. While he was still a deacon, he was sent to preach to people who desperately needed hope and they said miracles happened because of him.

Then, the entire Church throughout the world fell apart.

In a time of great turmoil and uncertainty, people stick close to their friends and Vincent had a very good friend in a very high place: a very prominent Cardinal whose name (believe it or not) was Peter.

Vincent was ordained a priest and he used his considerable powers not only to win souls for Christ and to bring people back to the practice of their faith, but he also tried to restore unity to the Church by backing the efforts of his friend Cardinal Peter.

In one town, Vincent was so powerful in his proclamation of the Gospel that the local rabbi not only accepted Christ but eventually became a bishop!

Vincent's friend Cardinal Peter also seemed to be meeting with great success. Vincent had reason to feel very good.

But as the years went by and the turmoil of the Church dragged on, Vincent became horribly aware that one of the greatest obstacles to the healing of the Church was in fact his own dear friend Cardinal Peter.

Vincent begged him again and again to reconcile himself with the Bishop of Rome, but Peter would hear none of it.

Vincent broke away from his friend, who would remain obstinate until his death.

Vincent continued with his work of preaching the Gospel in many countries, converting people by the tens of thousands and restoring the fervor of the faith to many, many more.

Vincent Ferrer, O.P., died on this very day in 1419.

(His former friend, Pedro de Luna who called himself Pope Benedict XIII, would die in isolation a few years later, some say after excommunicating the world daily from his ancestral castle.)

St. Vincent Ferrer was canonized in 1455.

(adapted from an earlier post)