In the roster of the saints of God St. Vincent
Pallotti is described as “The Standard Bearer of Catholic Action”.
He was born in Rome on April 21, 1795 and died in the same city on January 22, 1850. Pope John XXIII called him “the Splendor and Ornament of the Roman Clergy.” From his earliest years, he nurtured sanctity with privations and penances of an extraordinary sort and prepared himself for the priesthood by following the example of saintly priests. Because of his degrees in philosophy, theology, and classical languages, he taught in the Sapienza University for ten years. Among his many activities he acted as spiritual director of Seminaries and confessor of Popes and Cardinals.
His contemporaries called him “The Apostle of Rome” because of his unceasing work in guiding souls, establishing schools, and caring for orphans. St. Vincent urged by the universality of the church originated the famous “Octave of the Epiphany” still celebrated to this day with Solemnity each year in the church of St. Andrea della Valle.
In the year 1835, he founded the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallotine Fathers) to defend and promote faith and charity throughout the world. The purpose for founding this society was also his motive in stimulating the laity to share in the Apostolic tasks under the direction of the hierarchy. Pope Pius XI in declaring Vincent Pallotti as Venerable called him “The Standard Bearer of Catholic Action”.
St. Vincent by work and prayer, knowing the first could never be accomplished without the second, labored for long hours to win the world for God. All of Rome was saddened when on January 22, 1850, Vincent Pallotti passed on to his eternal reward. However, the fruits of his zealous work for souls did not stop with his death.