MEMORIAL: JANUARY 23
St. Vincent Saragosso was born in the 3rd century near Saragossa, Spain. After being educated, Vincent was formed and ordained as a deacon. He was commissioned to preach throughout the diocese because his bishop had a speech impediment. Once Christian persecution reached Spain, Vincent and his Bishop were captured and ordered to renounce their faith. However, as the bishop’s spokesman, Vincent refused.
The Bishop was banished, but Vincent was ordered to be tortured by a multitude of techniques including tearing of the flesh with iron hooks and laying on a bed of potshards. Enduring to the end, Vincent’s strength converted his jailer, Vincent became the first martyr of Spain. It is said that ravens defended his body until Christians could collect it for a proper burial. He is the patron saint of wine-makers, brickmakers, and sailors.
