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Today’s mission hero is a man who dedicated his life as a domestic missionary in the city of Rome. His name was Vincent.
Vincent Pallotti was born in Rome, Papal States on April 21, 1795. He was descended from two noble families: the Pallotti family of Norcia and the De Rossi family of Rome.
At the age of 16, he decided to become a priest, and on May 16, 1818, at the age of 23, he was ordained a priest. Shortly after his ordination, he obtained a doctorate in theology.
After obtaining his doctorate, he became an assistant professor at the Sapienza University of Rome. However, he did not last long in that position, because his heart was in the pastoral ministry for the poor, rather than in the academic ministry.
Father Vincent decided to dedicate his entire life to the service of the poor of urban Rome. He organized schools for carpenters, coachmen, gardeners, shoemakers, and tailors so that they could practice their trades more professionally. He also started night classes for young farmers and unskilled workers so that they too could improve their lot in life. Due to his tireless devotion to the poor, people began calling him a “second Saint Philip Neri”, a 16th century man who came to be known as the “Patron of Rome” for his work with the needy.
A great story about Fr. Vincent has to do with his intelligence in the ministry. One day, she learned of a man who needed to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Unfortunately, the man had told the people that he would kill the first priest who walked through the door. Then, Father Vincent disguised himself as an old woman and was accepted by the man.
On January 9, 1835, Father Vincent founded the Union of the Catholic Apostolate. He said: “The Catholic Apostolate, that is, the universal apostolate, which is common to all classes of people, consists in doing everything that one should and can do for the great glory of God and for one’s own salvation and that of others.” Pope Gregory XVI gave his approval that same year.
Father Vincent also founded a group of priests and brothers in the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, today known as the Pallottines, in 1835. This group served to minister to the sick in a cholera epidemic in 1837.
Fr. Vicente died in Rome on January 22, 1850 and was canonized by Pope Saint John XXIII on April 6, 1963. Saint Vincent Pallotti was called the patron of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and is often called the “Precursor of Catholic Action.”
Saint Vincent Pallotti’s feast day is January 22.
