Vincent is a widely used name in Spain, but when people look up when Saint Vincent’s feast day is celebrated, they may find several dates. This is not a mistake: the liturgical calendar includes several saints named Vincent, each with their own feast day. The date therefore depends on which saint is being referred to. Here are the main dates and the reasons behind their importance.
January 22: Saint Vincent of Saragossa, deacon and martyr
April 5: Saint Vincent Ferrer, Dominican
September 27: Saint Vincent de Paul, founder of the Congregation of the Mission
In Spain, the traditional date for celebrating Saint Vincent’s name day is January 22, the feast of Saint Vincent of Saragossa. However, April 5, the feast of Saint Vincent Ferrer, has particular importance in the Valencian Community, where he is one of the most venerated saints and his feast has a long-standing tradition.
Those who bear the name in honour of Saint Vincent de Paul, meanwhile, celebrate their name day on September 27.
He is the oldest of the three. A deacon of the Spanish Church, he was arrested during the persecution of Diocletian and died in Valencia in 304 after suffering imprisonment and torture.
His cult spread throughout the Mediterranean with remarkable speed. As early as the beginning of the fifth century, Saint Augustine preached homilies dedicated to him every January 22 and wondered which province of the Empire did not celebrate his anniversary. He is the patron saint of Lisbon and is considered, together with Stephen and Lawrence, one of the three great deacon martyrs of the Church.
The popularity of this cult during the early centuries of Christianity helped make Vincent a common name. This is why January 22 remains one of the main dates associated with the name day.
The same date also commemorates Saint Vincent Pallotti, a Roman priest and founder of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, who died in 1850.
A Valencian Dominican, born in 1350 and died in Vannes in 1419, he was one of the most influential preachers of his time. He travelled extensively throughout Europe during a period marked by the Western Schism.
In Spain, and particularly in the Valencian Community, Saint Vincent Ferrer holds a prominent place in religious and cultural tradition. His feast day is celebrated on April 5, with a particularly strong presence in Valencia and many other Valencian towns.
He is known as one of the great preachers in the history of the Church and is the patron saint of the Valencian Community. His figure is deeply connected to Valencian religious and cultural identity.
Born in Gascony in 1581 and died in Paris in 1660, he is the most recent of the three and the one whose name is especially associated with charitable work: hospitals, schools and charitable organisations.
He founded the Congregation of the Mission in 1625 and, together with Saint Louise de Marillac, the Daughters of Charity in 1633. He organised aid for populations devastated by war, reformed the education of the clergy and created a network of assistance that largely continues to exist today. Pope Pius XI proclaimed him the patron saint of all works of charity.
Those who would like to learn more about him can find an account of his life in the section dedicated to Saint Vincent de Paul on this website, and join the novena preparing for his feast, from September 18 to 26: Novena to Saint Vincent de Paul for migrants and refugees.
One point that often causes confusion: the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, the lay organisation present in many parishes, bears his name but is a separate organisation, founded in the 19th century by Frédéric Ozanam. It also celebrates its feast day on September 27.
The name is so widespread that the martyrology includes several other saints named Vincent. Among the best known in Spain are Saint Vincent Mary Strambi, a Passionist bishop, whose feast is celebrated on September 25, and Saint Vincent Grossi, on November 7.
In the feminine form, Saint Vicenta Gerosa is celebrated on June 28.
Vincent comes from the Latin vincens, the present participle of the verb vincere. It literally means “the one who conquers” or “the one who wins.”
In the early centuries of Christianity, the name was chosen precisely for its symbolic meaning: the martyr who conquers not through weapons, but over fear. Among the familiar forms of the name is Vicent, particularly in Valencian and Catalan. The feminine form is Vicenta.
In Spain, the name Vincent is particularly associated with Christian tradition and devotion to the various saints who bore the name.
When is Saint Vincent’s name day celebrated?
Traditionally, January 22, in memory of Saint Vincent of Saragossa. Those who bear the name in honour of Saint Vincent Ferrer celebrate it on April 5, while those named after Saint Vincent de Paul celebrate it on September 27.
Why are there several dates for Saint Vincent’s name day?
Because the liturgical calendar includes several saints named Vincent, each with their own feast day. The date depends on which saint the name refers to.
What is the most traditional date in Spain?
January 22, corresponding to Saint Vincent of Saragossa. However, April 5 is particularly important in the Valencian Community because of the deep religious and cultural tradition surrounding Saint Vincent Ferrer.
When is Saint Vincent Ferrer’s feast day?
April 5. It is a particularly significant date in the Valencian Community, where Saint Vincent Ferrer has a strong presence in religious and cultural tradition.
When is Saint Vicenta’s feast day?
June 28, the feast of Saint Vicenta Gerosa.
What is celebrated on September 27?
The liturgical feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, patron saint of all works of charity and founder of the Congregation of the Mission.
