St. Vincent Pallotti

Early Life

Saint Vincent Pallotti was born in the Papal States, Rome on the 21st ofApril in the year 1795. His parents were Pietro Pallotti and MagdalenaDe Rossi.

Saint Vincent was said to be of noble blood, descending fromdistinguished ancestors from Nocia and Rome from his Father and Mother’ssides respectively. He was the third child of ten children born byMagdalena.

He was baptized in the Saint Lawrence Church in Rome, on the 22nd ofApril, 1795.

Vincent gained initial formal studies at Pious Schools in San Pantaleoneafter which he proceeded to study in the Roman College.

At a very tender age, he was devout to religion and studied the Bible.He made up his mind to be a part of the church and at the age of 16, hedecided that he wanted to be a Priest.

Saint Vincent became a lower member of the Franciscan church in 1816before he was ordained as a Priest in the Church on the 16th of May,1818.

Saint Vincent showed love to the poor and needy and took special heed tothe act of penance. A small man with blue eyes that seemed to stare deepinto the soul, Vincent Pallotti soon started to wear his head bald as asign of reverence to God.

Dedication and Devotion

A man of great intellect, Saint Vincent continued his studies at theSapienza University from 1814 to 1818. Shortly after being ordained inthe Church, he completed his studies and received a Doctorate inTheology and Philosophy.

Saint Vincent was assigned the post of assistant professor in his AlmaMater but soon resigned because he needed to focus more on hisecclesiastical duties. When he wasn’t preaching, he spent most of histime caring for the needy.

Saint Vincent established institutions for carpenters, tailors, andshoemakers to help them become better at their trades. He brought indoctors to look at the sick and he did all these from the kindness ofhis heart and for the love of God.

Legacy

Saint Vincent Pallotti founded the Union of Catholic apostolate on the9th of January, 1835. This apostolate would blossom into one of hisgreatest achievements while in power. Starting this apostolate, SaintVincent sought to bring people from all walks of life to salvation.

The Union was approved by Pope Gregory XVI on the 11th of July in theyear of its establishment.

It was a difficult time during wars and the outbreak of diseases likethe cholera plague. This didn’t deter Saint Vincent Pallotti however ashe traveled from city to city to preach the Good News and recruit peopleto the apostolate. He was devoted to growing the mission.

Unfortunately, the Society was disbanded due to the similarity toSociety for the Propagation of the Faith. Vincent however petitioned forthe reopening of the Society and was met with a favorable reply.

Among the good, he did to the society was the creation of the Society ofthe Catholic Apostolate, a union for priests and brothers.

Death and Canonization

Saint Vincent Pallotti died on the 22nd of January, 1850, in his homeRome. He was barely 55 years old but had left a large impact on theChurch.

After his death, trouble began brewing concerning his Society but it wasstaunchly defended by people like Cardinal Lambruscini. When theCardinal passed away, however, the Society was renamed The Pious Societyof Missions.

The name stuck for several years until the Holy See commanded that theoriginal name be reclaimed.

Saint Vincent Pallotti was canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1963.

Tradition has it that after his death before he was buried, there was asweet smell that was detected around his body and his room. This smellsupposedly stayed behind in his room even after a month till it fadedaway.

His body was exhumed from the initial spot twice in 1906 and 1950, andboth times, his body was noticed to have remained unspoiled anduncorrupted. This sign, as exhibited by several other saints in history,was taken as a sign of purity.

Saint Vincent Pallotti’s body currently lies in the Church of SanSalvatore in Onda, Rome. He is celebrated by the Catholic Church on theday of his death day, January 22.

5 Interesting Facts About St. Vincent Pallotti

1. Did you know that Saint Vincent once dressed up as an old woman to
   get the confession of a man who swore to kill any priest that came
   in the room?
2. Did you know that Saint Vincent Palloti’s Society still exists
   today? It is kept alive by the Pallotine Fathers, Brothers, and
   Sisters.
3. Did you know that Saint Vincent served as a prison chaplain for some
   time in 1838?
4. Did you know that Saint Vincent gave his final sermon on the last
   day of the octave of the Epiphany? This happened in 1850.
5. Did you know that Saint Vincent predicted that Giovanni
   Mastai-Ferretti would be made Bishop?

Prayer of St. Vincent Pallotti

Saint Vincent Pallotti,you were moulded by God, the infinite love.You answered God’s call to serve Him.You were there for those seeking counsel,for the sick, for the youth, and the aging,for the rich and the poor,for people of any profession and walk of life.All were important to you.You wanted to inspire each and every onefor the Kingdom of God,reminding people of their dutyto be apostles and preparing them for this work.Now I call upon you to intercede for me.Help me to pray.Help me to pray only for what I truly need,what I can truly use,what is for my salvation and the honour of God.You received many graces and gifts from God.You always thanked God beforehand,as if your prayer had already been answered.I ask you to submit my petitions to God.Be my helperas I place this prayer before God the Father,through Jesus Christ.Do not leave me without your help.Bless me.Show me the way to Christ.Through the Spirit,lead me to the Father.Amen.

Source:[http://www.stannesparishshankill.com/prayers/prayers-to-vincent-pallotti]{.ul}