St. Vincent, the Popes, and the Synagogue
Behold two great miracles wrought by St. Vincent Ferer, our Saint of the day, as described by Fr. Butler.
From Valladolid, the saint went to Salamanca, in the beginning of the year 1412, where meeting the corpse of a man who had been murdered, and was carrying on a bier, he, in the presence of a great multitude, commanded the deceased to arise, when the dead man instantly revived; for a monument of which a wooden cross was erected, and is yet to be seen on the spot. In the same city the saint entered the Jewish synagogue with a cross in his hand, and replenished with the Holy Ghost, made so moving a sermon, that the Jews, who were at first surprised, at the end of his discourse all desired baptism, and changed their synagogue into a church, to which they gave the title of the Holy Cross.
Recall the words of St. Peter when he was dragged before the synagogue.
(Acts 4) 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them: Ye princes of the people and ancients, hear. 9 If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he hath been made whole: 10 Be it known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by him, this man standeth here before you, whole. 11 This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.
Hear Pope Benedict at his visit to a synagogue in 2005.
Shalom lêchém!
The Catholic Church is committed - I reaffirm this again today - to tolerance, respect, friendship and peace between all peoples, cultures and religions.
[And the single mention of the Name of Our Lord] my venerable Predecessor, quoting a statement by the German Bishops, affirmed that "whoever meets Jesus Christ meets Judaism"
Before John Paul II, popes did not visit synagogues. Pope Benedict plans to visit another synagogue this year, in New York. Please pray to St. Peter and St. Vincent for him.
