Saint Vincent of Zaragoza was ordained as a deacon by his friend St Valerius of Zaragoza in Spain. The Roman emperors had published their edicts against the clergy in 303, and the following year against the laity. Vincent and his bishop were imprisoned in Valencia, Spain. The were tortured to impel them to renounce their faith. Valerius was sent into exile. Dacian, the Roman governor, tried everything he could against Vincent, but failed. He asked Vincent to give up his sacred books to be burned, but Vincent refused. Thrown into prison, Vincent converted the prison guard to the Christian faith. Finally, Vincent was allowed to rest on a jail bed, where he went to his eternal life with God. He died around the year 304. Much of his life is based on legend that has been passed down, but even the great St Augustine of Hippo was inspired by the story of Vincent of Zaragoza.
As we celebrate the courage of the deacon Vincent of Zaragoza today, we commemorate the anniversary of Roe v. Wade legal decision and the day established by the Church of penance for abortion. This day has been formally named as the “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.” Even with the overturning of the Roe vs Wade decision, abortion remains legal in many states. I remember for many years going down to the abortion clinic on State Street in the Fonderan neighborhood to pray for an an end to abortion. It is amazing to think that this clinic is now closed. We as Catholics are to be pro-life in many different ways, especially protecting human life that is most vulnerable and that cannot protect itself. We unite our prayers with Christian all around our country today, respecting the dignity of human life on its most basic level.
Our psalm today states: “In God I trust; I shall not fear.” May we place our trust in God’s laws and commandments as we proclaim the truths of the values of our faith to the world.
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