Saint Vincent Ferrer, Priest & Confessor; Comm. the Lenten Feria: Missa “Os justi”
St. Vincent Ferrer (1350–1419) was a Dominican friar from Valencia, born into a noble family of Reconquista heritage. Gifted intellectually and spiritually from a young age, he entered the Dominican Order at seventeen and pursued advanced studies in philosophy and theology in Barcelona and Toulouse. His early career combined teaching and preaching, and he quickly gained a reputation for both scholarship and holiness. He became closely associated with Cardinal Pedro de Luna—later the Avignon antipope Benedict XIII—whom he loyally supported for many years, serving as confessor and papal theologian. However, Vincent ultimately urged Benedict to resign for the unity of the Church and formally withdrew support in 1416 when reconciliation proved impossible.
Following a miraculous recovery from illness in 1398, Vincent believed he had received a divine mandate to preach repentance and prepare the world for judgment. For two decades, he travelled extensively through Spain, France, Italy, and beyond, preaching in public squares to enormous crowds. Many believed he had the gift of tongues, as he was understood by diverse audiences despite knowing only his native dialect. His sermons sparked mass conversions, including of Jews and Muslims, and he became a central figure in Church reform, calling sinners to penance and rulers to justice. He played a key role in political matters as well, helping resolve royal succession disputes and influencing Spain’s support during the Great Western Schism.
Vincent lived an intensely austere and disciplined life, sleeping on the floor, fasting constantly, and dedicating his days to preaching, healing, and guiding penitents. He refused high ecclesiastical offices, preferring to live as a simple missionary friar. Known for his miracles and sanctity, he died in Brittany in 1419 and was canonized in 1455. His legacy is that of a tireless apostle of repentance and unity, a prophetic voice in a time of ecclesial division and moral decline, and a model of spiritual courage and missionary zeal.
INTROIT PSalm 36:30-31
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart. Ps 36:1 Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart.
COLLECT
O God, Who graciously enlightened Your Church by the virtues and preaching of blessed Vincent, Your Confessor, grant that we, Your servants, may be taught by his example and delivered from all harm by his intercession. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Let us pray.
Commemoration Sabbato infra Hebdomadam IV in Quadragesima
Make fruitful, we beseech You, O Lord, the zeal of our fervent devotion; for only if it pleases You shall the fasting we have undertaken be of benefit to us. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
EPISTLE Sir 31:8-11
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus. Happy the man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain, nor puts his trust in money nor in treasures! Who is he, that we may praise him? For he has done wonders in his life. He has been tested by gold and come off safe, and this remains his glory forever; he could have sinned but did not, could have done evil but would not, so that his possessions are secure in the Lord, and the assembly of the Saints shall recount his alms.
TRACT Psalm 91:13; 91:14
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord. Ps 91:3 V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Ps 111:1-3. Happy the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commands. V. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed. V. Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever.
GOSPEL Luke 12:35-40
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning, and you yourselves like men waiting for their master’s return from the wedding; so that when he comes and knocks, they may straight-way open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master, on his return, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them recline at table, and will come and serve them. And if he comes in the second watch, and if in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But of this be assured, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would certainly have watched, and not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because at an hour that you do not expect, the Son of Man is coming.
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Psalms 88:25
My faithfulness and My kindness shall be with him, and through My name shall his horn be exalted.
SECRET
We offer You sacrifices of praise, O Lord, in memory of Your Saints; trusting that by them we may be delivered from both present and future evils. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Commemoration Sabbato infra Hebdomadam IV in Quadragesima
Graciously accept our offerings, O Lord, we beseech You, and mercifully direct our still rebellious wills to You. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
PREFACE of Lent
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who by this bodily fast, dost curb our vices, dost lift up our minds and bestow on us strength and rewards; through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY…
COMMUNION ANTIPHON Matt 24:46-47
Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will set him over all his goods.
POSTCOMMUNION
Refreshed with heavenly food and drink, we humbly pray You, our God, that we also may be helped by his prayers in memory of whom we have partaken of these gifts. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Let us pray.
Commemoration Sabbato infra Hebdomadam IV in Quadragesima
May Your holy sacrament cleanse us, we beseech You, O Lord, and may its power make us pleasing to You. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
PROPER LAST GOSPEL of the Lenten Feria
John 8:12-20
At that time, Jesus spoke to the multitudes of the Jews, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me does not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said to Him, You bear witness to Yourself. Your witness is not true. Jesus answered and said to them, Even if I bear witness to Myself, My witness is true, because I know where I came from and where I go. But you do not know where I came from or where I go. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. And even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone, but with Me is He Who sent Me, the Father. And in your Law it is written that the witness of two persons is true. It is I Who bear witness to Myself, and He Who sent Me, the Father, bears witness to Me. They therefore said to Him, Where is your Father? Jesus answered, You know neither Me nor My Father. If you knew Me, you would then know My Father also. Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, while teaching in the temple. And no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.