The Cathedral of Valencia hosted on April 13 the Pontifical Mass on the solemnity of Saint Vincent Ferrer, patron saint of the city, presided over by Archbishop Monsignor Enrique Benavent and with wide participation from the faithful, authorities, and associations linked to the Dominican saint.
According to information from the Archdiocese of Valencia, the celebration included the metropolitan chapter, the Order of Preachers, emeritus bishops, and institutional representatives, in a day marked by tradition, popular devotion, and reference to the figure of the great Valencian preacher.
Saint Vincent Ferrer as a model in times of change
Following tradition, the homily was delivered by a Dominican, in this case Friar José Manuel Alcácer, who drew a parallel between the historical context of Saint Vincent Ferrer and the current moment.
The preacher recalled that the saint lived in an era of profound religious, social, and political transformations, and pointed out that today the Church also faces “a change of era,” in which—he warned—man tends toward “self-exaltation,” even in areas such as the development of artificial intelligence.
In this context, Alcácer emphasized that Saint Vincent’s response remains valid: “holiness and evangelical preaching.”
Warning against de-Christianization
The Dominican also alerted to the cultural consequences of this process, stating that “the first consequence of this deification of AI is the de-Christianization of countries with Christian roots, as is the case of Europe.”
In light of the example of Saint Vincent Ferrer, he recalled that the Church’s mission remains to proclaim Christ amid historical transformations.
A celebration of faith and Valencian tradition
The day concluded with words from Archbishop Benavent, who wished that the feast of the patron saint be “a day of joy and ‘brotherhood’” for the city and the Valencian towns, and asked that “Saint Vincent always be your protector.”
During the celebration, petitions were also raised for the evangelizing fruits of the Jubilee Year of the Holy Chalice of Hope, for the authorities, and for the fidelity of the Valencian people to their Christian tradition.
After the Mass, the traditional civic procession took place, which passed through various points linked to the saint, and in the afternoon the solemn general procession is scheduled.