St. Vincent Ferrer the Miracle Worker

Humanity has seen great miracle workers from Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions. These miracle workers have changed the face of humanity by creating a tremendous impact for future generations. The following article deals with perhaps one of the greatest miracle workers in history, based on the number of miracles he performed. He is, however, still relatively unknown in society.

St Vincent Ferrer was a renowned preacher and missionary who lived his life selflessly, fearlessly, and with total faith. He was born in Valencia, Spain on the 23rd of January 1350. He began performing miracles at a very young age – the first one being while he was still in his mother’s womb.

St Vincent Ferrer was a renowned preacher and missionary who lived his life selflessly, fearlessly, and with total faith. Vincent Ferrer was born in Valencia, Spain on the 23rd of January 1350. He performed his first miracles from a very young age, with the first miracle occurring while he was still in his mother’s womb.

As the story goes; his mother went to give monthly alms to a blind woman, and asked her to bless her child with a safe birth. As the woman blessed the child, she put her head on the mother’s belly and prayed with devotion. When she lifted her head the blind woman found with joy that she was able to see. She proclaimed, “This will be a great child, I am healed, and you will have an easy birth”.

As a child, Vincent Ferrer would sleep on the floor with a Bible, reading and praying. A miracle occurred through him during a time of drought in Valencia, Spain. His prayers revealed to him that it would rain if the city would hold a parade for him. His mother addressed the mayor, who organised a parade for the saintly child. And indeed, rain came as promised.

St Vincent continued his spiritual discipline throughout his youth and became a Dominican monk at age 18. As a monk, he deepened his studies in logic, natural sciences, scripture, and theology. As a friar, the abbot of his monastery asked him to no longer perform miracles. With humility, he agreed. But not long has passed until he saw a man falling from a building. He said to the man “stay right where you are until I come back” at which the man froze in mid-air. St Vincent then asked the abbot for permission to save the man’s life. He was granted permission and released the man down to safety.

He lived during a period of political and spiritual crisis in western Europe due to feuds over who was the rightful pope. Due to his dedication and reputation as a miracle worker, he was offered many high official positions such as bishop. With humility, he rejected the positions offered to him. This created a lot of resistance toward him, however, he remained true to his humble virtues.

After this time, St Vincent became very sick. At age 49 he came close to death. In his last hour, with his brothers around him, Jesus Christ appeared with St Dominic, St Francis, and many angels. Jesus touched him on the cheek and said, “you will be healed, you will be a preacher, you are the angel of the last judgment, the popes will come together, you will succeed in everything you do, grace will always follow you, and you will die outside of Spain”. All of this came true.

Thus, despite already being of old age, St Vincent became a wandering preacher. He traveled by foot over several countries, performing multiple miracles every day. People from all kinds of faiths would gather in masses to witness him preach and perform miracles.

During his time in France, St. Vincent Ferrer performed countless miracles, including healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and raising the dead. It has been confirmed that twenty-eight people were raised from death by St Vincent, but the actual number is expected to be much greater. It is also documented that St Vincent fed over 4 000 men, with seven loaves and a few fish near the town of Conflans in August of 1415.

Over his lifetime, St Vincent converted thousands of people in Spain, Italy, Germany, Ireland, France, and England. Even at an older age, he was able to preach with strength and eloquence that thousands of people could hear him. His presence in cities resulted in drastically reduced crime, hatred, and sin. He indeed was a peacemaker. 

Even after his death and burial in France on April 4th, 1419, sick people would lie on his deathbed and through their faith, would get up healthy. In this way, he continued to spread miracles after his passing.

One thing that stands out the most about him is his humility and constant devotion to God. He believed that through faith people could be healed and miracles would happen.

His story reminds me that all miracles, big or small come through our connection to God or the divine. It is our faith that heals others, it is our faith that allows us to love and heal when times are difficult. Every gesture of love and compassion that we offer others can be seen as a small miracle performed by God through us. With the humility of St Vincent, we can offer love and compassion freely and with humility.

Transcribed and edited by Elissa from