(A.D. 304.)
[All Western Martyrologies, and by the Greeks on the same day, and
Nov. 11th. The Acts, very ancient, quoted by Metaphrastes, are a
very early recension of the original Acts by the notaries of the
Church. Also, a hymn of Prudentius.]
This most illustrious martyr of the Spanish Church was born at Saragossa
in Arragon, the mother of martyrs, as Prudentius calls it. His parents
are mentioned in his Acts, which are at least older than S. Augustine
(August 28), in whose time they were publicly read in the church of
Hippo. The name of his father was Eutychius; and his mother, Enola, was
a native of Osca, or Huesca, which sometimes claims the honour of his
birth. He was trained in the discipline of the Christian faith by
Valerius, Bishop of Saragossa, and was in due time ordained to the
office of deacon. The Bishop was a man of venerable piety, but laboured
under an impediment in his speech. He therefore devoted himself to
prayer and contemplation, and intrusted the care of teaching to S.
Vincent, whom he also appointed his principal or archdeacon. Dacian was
then Governor of Spain under Diocletian and Maximian, and had already
distinguished himself by his cruelty against the Christians. The
imperial edict for the seizure of the clergy had just been published in
the end of the year 303, in which the laity were not included until the
following year. Valerius and his deacons were accordingly loaded with
chains and carried to Valencia, where the Governor then was. The pains
of hunger were added to their sufferings, in the hope of subduing their
fortitude. When they were brought before Dacian he first tried the
effect of mild language and promises of reward if they would obey the
orders of the Emperors and sacrifice to the gods. He reminded Valerius
of the influence which his episcopal dignity gave him; and to Vincent he
represented the honour of his family, and the sweet joys of youth which
still lay before him. But the confessors of Christ were not to be thus
moved. Valerius, being unable from his infirmity to reply to the artful
persuasions of the tempter, Vincent made a noble profession of the faith
in the name of them both.
The Bishop was condemned to exile, where he seems afterwards to have
finished his course by martyrdom; and Vincent was remanded to prison,
thence to pass by a more painful but a speedier way to his crown. His
body was stretched upon the rack and cruelly torn with iron hooks, but
no torture could shake his resolution or disturb the calm which sat upon
his countenance. He defied the utmost efforts of his tormentors; and,
when they began to grow weary, Dacian ordered them to be beaten,
suspecting that they spared the martyr. But the Governor himself was at
last moved to a faint pity by the miserable spectacle, and entreated
Vincent to purchase his deliverance by at least giving up the Christian
books. Vincent, still continuing firm, was taken from the rack and led
to a more terrible torture called the _Question_. It was an iron frame
with bars running across it, sharp as scythes, and underneath a fire was
kindled, which made the whole frame red hot. To this fearful agony the
martyr walked with a willing step, and even went before the
executioners. And, as he lay bound upon the bed of torture, his eyes
were fixed on heaven, his lips moved as if in prayer, and a peaceful
smile would sometimes pass across his countenance. No cruelty was spared
that diabolical ingenuity could invent, but the love of Christ surpassed
the wrath of man and won the day. When the malice of his enemies could
do no more, he was carried back to prison, and laid in a dark dungeon
strewn with broken potsherds, which allowed his wounded body no rest.
His feet, too, were fastened in the stocks. But God was mindful of His
servant, and sent His angels to comfort him, bestowing a foretaste of
his reward while his trial was as yet unfinished. His cell was
illuminated with the light of heaven, his bonds were loosed, and the
floor of his prison seemed to be strewn with flowers. The martyr and his
celestial visitants sang hymns together, and the unwonted sound
astonished the jailer. He looked into the cell, and, overpowered by what
he saw and heard, confessed the power of God and the truth of the
Christian faith. When Dacian heard of it he shed tears of rage; but,
finding it was useless to continue his cruelty, he gave orders that some
repose should be allowed to the martyr. His motives for this act of
clemency are variously represented; perhaps he only meant to recruit the
strength of Vincent that he might endure further tortures; or perhaps he
feared that, if he expired under them, the Christian faith might be
exalted in the eyes of the people by his constancy. But, whatever was
the policy of Dacian, God overruled it to obtain for His blessed servant
an easy departure. The scattered remnant of Christians gathered round
him, and tended him with anxious care. They provided a soft bed, on
which he was no sooner laid than he yielded up his soul to the Lord, on
January 22, A.D. 304. The rage of the Governor followed his poor
remains. His body was cast out into a field to become the prey of wild
beasts and birds; but was defended by a raven. Then, to add further
indignities to it, it was taken out in a boat and thrown into the sea
with a mill-stone about the neck. During the night it was washed ashore,
and at last was privately buried by some good Christians in a humble
chapel near Valencia. When the fury of the persecution had ceased, it
was removed with great honour, and buried under the altar of the
principal church.