Vincent Ferrer'sBeati Petri Apostoli:Canonical and Apocryphal Sources in Popular Vernacular Preaching

Abstract

Vincent Ferrer was born in Valencia on January 23, 1350 and died at Vannes (Brittany) on April 5, 1419. He grew up in a devout family, and by 1367 had joined the Order of Preachers in Valencia. As a member of the Dominican Order, Vincent Ferrer underwent extensive academic and pastoral training from 1370 to 1378 in preparation for a life of scholarly teaching and preaching. He was a teacher of logic at Lleida (1370–71), philosophy at Barcelona (1375), and he completed his formal training at Toulouse (1376–78). These academic activities reflect only one aspect of his intellectual background.

Charisma and Routine: Shaping the Memory of Brother Richard and Joan of Arc

“…They also serve to draw attention to the forces that sought to contain his influence. The processes that shaped the fate of Joan of Arc, in life and in the half 19 One example of a mendicant visionary who fared better in royal memory is the hermit Jean de Gand (who was eventually interred in the Dominican friary at Troyes in 1439). He had appeared before the dauphin Charles in 1421 (after a fruitless appeal to Henry V) and promised the eventual success of Valois arms against the English.…”

“…Brother Richard may have been a fervent supporter of the Valois cause, but kings preferred to recall preachers whose prophecies had predicted the resurrection of the monarchy rather than birth of the Antichrist. 19 Churchmen might still listen to those who claimed direct links with saintly and divine figures, but with mounting suspicion ( [57], pp. 297-303).…”

“…For Vincent Ferrer's own sermon on the dangers of demonic enchanters like Simon Magus, see [19], pp. 53-54.…”