A 4th-century saint who suffered a cruel martyrdom, St. Vincent of Saragossa was given a way out to avoid all of his pain.
He could stop the torture if he simply threw the Scriptures into the fire.
St. Vincent refused. His love of God was so great that he would do nothing to harm this intimate relationship.
As a result of his refusal, St. Vincent was cast on a heated grating, lacerated with iron hooks, and seared with hot metal plates. Through it all he kept his faith, and God rewarded him for his sufferings, giving him an extraordinary strength to endure any type of torture.
We can turn to St. Vincent for strength in our trials, asking God to help us endure any suffering for his sake.
Almighty ever-living God, mercifully pour out your Spirit upon us, so that our hearts may possess the strong love by which the Martyr Saint Vincent triumphed over all bodily torments. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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And today we celebrate...