¹ In the account of the Passion that was read to us today, dearest brothers, we clearly see a ruthless judge, a bloodthirsty torturer, and an invincible martyr. The body of the martyr was torn apart by various punishments—his tormentors had grown weary, yet his limbs still endured. Though confronted by so many miracles, impiety persisted; though assaulted by so many torments, his weakness did not give way. Let us recognize, then, the work of divine power. For how could mere perishable dust withstand such monstrous tortures unless Christ Himself dwelled within him? In all these things, it is He who must be acknowledged, He who must be glorified, He who must be praised—He who gave faith at the moment of calling and strength in the hour of suffering.

² Do you wish to understand that both of these are gifts? Listen to the Apostle Paul: “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him”. Vincent received both gifts—he received them and held onto them. For if he had not received them, what would he have had? He possessed confidence in his speech and endurance in his suffering. Let no one presume that his words come from his own heart, nor trust in his own strength when facing trials. For both our wisdom to speak rightly and our endurance to bear affliction come from Him—our wisdom is His gift, and our patience is His grace.

³ Remember our Lord Jesus Christ as He warned His disciples in the Gospel. Recall how the King of Martyrs armed His soldiers with spiritual weapons, revealed the nature of battle, and promised rewards. After telling His disciples, “In this world you will have tribulation,” He immediately added words of comfort to strengthen their troubled hearts: “But take courage; I have overcome the world”. Why, then, dearest brothers, should we be amazed that Vincent triumphed in Him who has already conquered the world? “In this world,” He says, “you will have tribulation,"—so that when affliction comes, it does not crush us, and when it attacks, it does not defeat us.

⁴ The world wages a twofold battle against the soldiers of Christ. Consider this well, brothers—the world fights us in two ways: it entices in order to deceive, and it threatens in order to break us. Let neither pleasure ensnare us nor cruelty intimidate us. Yet since Christ stands against both these assaults, the world is vanquished, and the Christian is not overcome. If we consider this suffering only in terms of human endurance, it seems impossible; but if we recognize divine power at work, it ceases to be astonishing. Such brutal cruelty raged against the martyr’s body, yet such great peace was heard in his voice. Such harsh torments tore at his limbs, yet such security resounded in his words. It was as if, in a wondrous way, one Vincent was suffering while another was speaking—or rather, as if another were suffering while Vincent was speaking.

⁵ And truly, dearest brothers, it was so—entirely so. It was another who was speaking. For Christ Himself promised this to His witnesses. In the Gospel, as He was preparing His disciples for such battles, He said: “Do not worry beforehand about what you will say or how you will speak. For it will not be you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you”.

⁶ Thus, the flesh suffered, but the Spirit spoke. And as the Spirit spoke, not only was impiety refuted, but weakness was also strengthened. The torments made the martyr shine all the more gloriously. Though pierced by countless wounds, he did not retreat from the battle but fought on with even greater fervour. You might have thought that the fire hardened him rather than consumed him, as if he were clay placed in the potter’s kiln—soft when it entered, but emerging as hardened pottery.

⁷ Our martyr could have said to Dacian: “My flesh no longer heeds your flames, for my strength has dried up like a potsherd”. For indeed, it is truly written: “The furnace tests the potter’s vessels, and tribulation tests righteous men”. Vincent was tested and purified in that fire, but Dacian burned and raged. If he was not burning, why was he fuming? For what are the words of an angry man but the smoke of one set ablaze?

⁸ Thus, while the martyr had refreshment in his heart, his persecutor brought flames upon him from without. Yet it was Dacian himself, inflamed with fury like a blazing oven, who burned from within, consuming his own soul along with the demon that dwelled within him. Through Dacian’s furious words, his savage gaze, his threatening expression, and his violent movements, the spirit that possessed him revealed itself. These visible signs exposed his inner torment, as though cracks had formed in the vessel he had filled, allowing his corruption to seep out. Indeed, the madness that consumed him tormented him far more than the flames tormented the martyr.

⁹ But now, brothers, all those things have passed—the wrath of Dacian and the suffering of Vincent. Yet the punishment of Dacian remains, and the crown of Vincent endures. Indeed, to set aside for now the final rewards of the future and instead demonstrate the glory of the martyrs even in this world—what land, what distant province, wherever the empire of Rome or the name of Christ has spread, does not rejoice today in celebrating the feast of Vincent? And who today would have even heard the name of Dacian, if not for reading it in the account of Vincent’s suffering?

¹⁰ Moreover, the Lord preserved the martyr’s body with such care—what did this show, if not that He guided Vincent in life and did not abandon him in death? Thus, Vincent conquered Dacian while living, and he triumphs even in death. While living, he trampled upon his torments; in death, he crossed the seas. Yet it was He who guided his lifeless body through the waves, the same One who, amidst the torturers’ claws, gave him an unconquered spirit. The fire of the torturer did not break his heart; the waters of the sea did not overwhelm his body. But in all these things, there is nothing except this: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints”.

¹¹ May the Lord, under His protection, lead us to this same glory, to whom belong honour and dominion forever and ever. Amen.