Vincent Strambi
Encyclopedia
Saint Vincent Strambi born Vincent Dominic Salvatoro Strambi was a Catholic bishop who was a member of the Passionist
Congregation, born at Civitavecchia
, Italy
, January 1, 1745; died Rome
, Italy, January 1, 1824. Canonised by Pope Pius XII in 1950.
. Despite initial resistance from his parents, Vincent entered the seminary
and began his studies for the priesthood in November 1762. At seminary he became attracted to the religious life but because of his frailty he was refused admission to both the Capuchins
and the Vincentians. Noted for his oratorical gifts he was sent to Rome to study Sacred Eloquence and thereafter continued his theological studies with the Dominicans
at Viterbo
. Whilst still a student he was appointed prefect of the seminary at Montefiascone and thereafter acting-rector of the seminary at Bagnorea.
to the priesthood Vincent made a retreat at the monastery of Vetralla. The monastery belonged to the Passionist
Congregation and it was here that Vincent met the Congregation's founder Saint Paul of the Cross
. Impressed by the devotion of the Passionists he asked Paul to be admitted to the Order. Feeling that Vincent did not have the stamina for Passionist life, Paul refused him.
Vincent was ordained priest in December 1767 and then returned to Rome to further his theological studies. Here he was noted for his study of Saint Thomas Aquinas
. He still felt called to the Passionist Congregation and made several trips to see Paul to beg to be admitted into the Congregation. In September 1768 Paul finally agreed and Vincent became a novice
, taking the name Vincent Mary of St. Paul. Making his profession as a Passionist the following year, Vincent continued to further his studies, especially of the Church Fathers and Scripture.
Preaching missions has always been part of the Passionist charism and Vincent preached many such missions, drawing large crowds by his preaching. On several occasions Vincent preached before cardinals and bishops. In 1773, Vincent was appointed professor of theology at the Passionist house in Rome, SS John and Paul, and it was here that he was present at the death of Paul of the Cross. Thereafter Vincent was appointed to several high offices in the Congregation, serving as rector of the Roman house and provincial of the Roman Province. In 1784, he was relieved of his duties for a short while to write the biography of Paul of the Cross. The biography was later published in London with a preface by Blessed Dominic Barberi
. The invasion of the Papal States
by Napoleon and the anti-Catholic decrees that followed forced Vincent to flee Rome in 1798 and in May 1799 Vincent was taken prisoner by the French forces, though he returned to Rome later that year.
Vincent was nominated for the Papacy by his friend Cardinal Antonelli and even received a number of votes. In July 1801, Vincent was appointed Bishop of Macerata and Tolentino, becoming the first bishop to come from the Passionist order. This required him to leave the Passionist monastery. He was consecrated bishop at SS John and Paul in Rome. Though a bishop Vincent continued to practise the austerities of Passionist life and continued to wear the habit in private. As bishop Vincent was greatly concerned for the needs of the poor, even begging on their behalf. He also had a great care for the education of the priests of his diocese and paid close attention to the teaching in the seminaries. His charitable works included the establishment of orphanages and homes for the aged.
In 1809, Napoleon issued a decree annexing Macerata as part of the French Empire. Despite orders from the French to have this decree read in all churches, Vincent refused. In a similar action he also refused to provide the French with a list of all the men in his diocese that would be suitable for military service. In September 1808, Vincent was placed under arrest for refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the French invaders and was then exiled to Mantua.
Vincent returned to his diocese four years later in 1814. His return was met by crowds who lined the route of his journey. Pope Pius VII
, returning from his own exile, visited Vincent and remarked
In 1817, the French returned to Macerata where they set up their headquarters from where they would attack the Austrians. The people turned to Vincent for fear of what the French would do. He gathered priests and seminarians in his private chapel to pray and after one and a half hours in prayer he rose and declared that Macerata would be saved through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. The French were indeed defeated, though the local people feared what they would do during their retreat. Vincent met with the leader of the French army and begged him not to enter the town, Murat agreed. Vincent then secured the assurances of the Austrian generals that they would not slaughter the French soldiers.
Vincent was now nearing his eightieth year and in 1823 Pope Leo XII
gave him permission to retire. He was then appointed the Pope's personal advisor and took up residence at the Quirinal Palace
. It was during his time in this office that Napoleon's sister, Pauline, returned to the Catholic faith with Vincent's guidance. When the pope fell ill Vincent asked God that his life should be taken rather than that of the pope. The pope recovered and Vincent died a few days later on his 79th birthday, January 1, 1824. His body lay in state at the Quirinal and was then buried in SS John and Paul Church.
in 1925 and canonised by Pope Pius XII
in 1950. In November 1957, his relics were transferred from SS John and Paul to the Church of Saint Philip in Macerata.
Passionist
The Passionists are a Roman Catholic religious order founded by Saint Paul of the Cross . Professed members use the initials C.P. after their names.-History:St...
Congregation, born at Civitavecchia
Civitavecchia
Civitavecchia is a town and comune of the province of Rome in the central Italian region of Lazio. A sea port on the Tyrrhenian Sea, it is located 80 kilometers west-north-west of Rome, across the Mignone river. The harbor is formed by two piers and a breakwater, on which is a lighthouse...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, January 1, 1745; died Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy, January 1, 1824. Canonised by Pope Pius XII in 1950.
Early years
Born to Joseph and Elenora Strambi on January 1, 1745, Vincent was the youngest of four children, though his three elder siblings would all die in childhood. His father was a pharmacist known for his charitable works and his mother was noted for her sanctity. Vincent was a troublesome child who excelled in athletics and who, in his teenage years, became more devout. Educated by the Friars Minor he taught his fellow students the catechismCatechism
A catechism , i.e. to indoctrinate) is a summary or exposition of doctrine, traditionally used in Christian religious teaching from New Testament times to the present...
. Despite initial resistance from his parents, Vincent entered the seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
and began his studies for the priesthood in November 1762. At seminary he became attracted to the religious life but because of his frailty he was refused admission to both the Capuchins
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
and the Vincentians. Noted for his oratorical gifts he was sent to Rome to study Sacred Eloquence and thereafter continued his theological studies with the Dominicans
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
at Viterbo
Viterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
. Whilst still a student he was appointed prefect of the seminary at Montefiascone and thereafter acting-rector of the seminary at Bagnorea.
Passionist Priest
Before his ordinationOrdination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
to the priesthood Vincent made a retreat at the monastery of Vetralla. The monastery belonged to the Passionist
Passionist
The Passionists are a Roman Catholic religious order founded by Saint Paul of the Cross . Professed members use the initials C.P. after their names.-History:St...
Congregation and it was here that Vincent met the Congregation's founder Saint Paul of the Cross
Paul of the Cross
Paul of the Cross was an Italian mystic, and founder of the Passionists.-Biography:Saint Paul of the Cross, originally named Paolo Francesco Danei, was born on 3 January 1694, in the town of Ovada, Piedmont, between Turin and Genoa in the Duchy of Savoy in northern Italy.Paul, a son of a...
. Impressed by the devotion of the Passionists he asked Paul to be admitted to the Order. Feeling that Vincent did not have the stamina for Passionist life, Paul refused him.
Vincent was ordained priest in December 1767 and then returned to Rome to further his theological studies. Here he was noted for his study of Saint Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
. He still felt called to the Passionist Congregation and made several trips to see Paul to beg to be admitted into the Congregation. In September 1768 Paul finally agreed and Vincent became a novice
Novice
A novice is a person or creature who is new to a field or activity. The term is most commonly applied in religion and sports.-Buddhism:In many Buddhist orders, a man or woman who intends to take ordination must first become a novice, adopting part of the monastic code indicated in the vinaya and...
, taking the name Vincent Mary of St. Paul. Making his profession as a Passionist the following year, Vincent continued to further his studies, especially of the Church Fathers and Scripture.
Preaching missions has always been part of the Passionist charism and Vincent preached many such missions, drawing large crowds by his preaching. On several occasions Vincent preached before cardinals and bishops. In 1773, Vincent was appointed professor of theology at the Passionist house in Rome, SS John and Paul, and it was here that he was present at the death of Paul of the Cross. Thereafter Vincent was appointed to several high offices in the Congregation, serving as rector of the Roman house and provincial of the Roman Province. In 1784, he was relieved of his duties for a short while to write the biography of Paul of the Cross. The biography was later published in London with a preface by Blessed Dominic Barberi
Dominic Barberi
Blessed Dominic of the Mother of God, born Dominic Barberi was an Italian theologian and a member of the Passionist Congregation...
. The invasion of the Papal States
Papal States
The Papal State, State of the Church, or Pontifical States were among the major historical states of Italy from roughly the 6th century until the Italian peninsula was unified in 1861 by the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia .The Papal States comprised territories under...
by Napoleon and the anti-Catholic decrees that followed forced Vincent to flee Rome in 1798 and in May 1799 Vincent was taken prisoner by the French forces, though he returned to Rome later that year.
Bishop
After the death of Pope Pius VIPope Pius VI
Pope Pius VI , born Count Giovanni Angelo Braschi, was Pope from 1775 to 1799.-Early years:Braschi was born in Cesena...
Vincent was nominated for the Papacy by his friend Cardinal Antonelli and even received a number of votes. In July 1801, Vincent was appointed Bishop of Macerata and Tolentino, becoming the first bishop to come from the Passionist order. This required him to leave the Passionist monastery. He was consecrated bishop at SS John and Paul in Rome. Though a bishop Vincent continued to practise the austerities of Passionist life and continued to wear the habit in private. As bishop Vincent was greatly concerned for the needs of the poor, even begging on their behalf. He also had a great care for the education of the priests of his diocese and paid close attention to the teaching in the seminaries. His charitable works included the establishment of orphanages and homes for the aged.
In 1809, Napoleon issued a decree annexing Macerata as part of the French Empire. Despite orders from the French to have this decree read in all churches, Vincent refused. In a similar action he also refused to provide the French with a list of all the men in his diocese that would be suitable for military service. In September 1808, Vincent was placed under arrest for refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the French invaders and was then exiled to Mantua.
Vincent returned to his diocese four years later in 1814. His return was met by crowds who lined the route of his journey. Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII , born Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, was a monk, theologian and bishop, who reigned as Pope from 14 March 1800 to 20 August 1823.-Early life:...
, returning from his own exile, visited Vincent and remarked
"This holy man overwhelms me.”The invaders had left much damage in their wake, not only the destruction of building and churches, but the creation of lax morality. Vincent worked hard to rebuild the lives of his people and priests.
In 1817, the French returned to Macerata where they set up their headquarters from where they would attack the Austrians. The people turned to Vincent for fear of what the French would do. He gathered priests and seminarians in his private chapel to pray and after one and a half hours in prayer he rose and declared that Macerata would be saved through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. The French were indeed defeated, though the local people feared what they would do during their retreat. Vincent met with the leader of the French army and begged him not to enter the town, Murat agreed. Vincent then secured the assurances of the Austrian generals that they would not slaughter the French soldiers.
Vincent was now nearing his eightieth year and in 1823 Pope Leo XII
Pope Leo XII
Pope Leo XII , born Annibale Francesco Clemente Melchiore Girolamo Nicola Sermattei della Genga, was Pope from 1823 to 1829.-Life:...
gave him permission to retire. He was then appointed the Pope's personal advisor and took up residence at the Quirinal Palace
Quirinal Palace
The Quirinal Palace is a historical building in Rome, Italy, the current official residence of the President of the Italian Republic. It is located on the Quirinal Hill, the tallest of the seven hills of Rome...
. It was during his time in this office that Napoleon's sister, Pauline, returned to the Catholic faith with Vincent's guidance. When the pope fell ill Vincent asked God that his life should be taken rather than that of the pope. The pope recovered and Vincent died a few days later on his 79th birthday, January 1, 1824. His body lay in state at the Quirinal and was then buried in SS John and Paul Church.
Canonisation
Vincent was beatified by Pope Pius XIPope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI , born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was Pope from 6 February 1922, and sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929 until his death on 10 February 1939...
in 1925 and canonised by Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
in 1950. In November 1957, his relics were transferred from SS John and Paul to the Church of Saint Philip in Macerata.