Vincent Pallotti was born in Rome in 1795, the son of a well-to-do grocer. In school he was known as a “little saint” and, although bright, he was also considered “a bit slow” – an illusion amply disproved by the apostolic endeavors of his life.

 He was ordained a priest when only twenty-three, and taking his doctorate in theology soon after, became an assistant professor at the Sapienza University of Rome.

 As a close friend of St. Gaspar del Bufalo, a missionary in Italy, he decided to give up his teaching post for a more apostolic life. Inflamed by the missionary spirit, he longed to send missionaries throughout the world and to work for the conversion of the Mohammedans.

 Don Pallotti, as he was known, was a great confessor and fulfilled that office at several colleges. He had an intense devotion to the Mystery of the Most Holy Trinity and a tender love for the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 In 1835 he began the Society of Catholic Apostolate. He organized schools for shoemakers, tailors, coachmen, joiners and market-gardeners to improve their education and general pride in their trade. He started evening classes for young workers and an institute to teach better methods of agriculture.

 Widely regarded as another St. Philip Neri, he was indefatigable in his work with those in need. Burning with zeal to save sinners, he once dressed as an old woman to reach a dying person whose relative had sworn to shoot the first priest to approach.

 He was also a great exorcist, and healed the sick with a word of encouragement or a blessing. He foresaw the future, and once predicted the movement of Catholic Action, even its name.
Vincent Pallotti died on January 22, 1850 at the age of fifty-five. When his body was exhumed in 1906 and again in 1950, it was found to be completely incorrupt. It is enshrined in the Church of St. Salvatore in Onda in Rome.

 Novena to St. Vincent Pallotti

 St. Vincent Pallotti, you were formed and called by God, the infinite Love. You answered God’s call to serve.

 You were there: for those seeking forgiveness and counsel, for the sick, for the youth and the aging, for the rich and the poor, for the people of every profession and walk of life. Every person is important to you. You inspire us to seek God in all things, Reminding us of our call to be apostles In the Church and in the world. Now we call upon you to intercede for us. Help us to pray. Help us to pray only for what we truly need; Help us to grow in holiness, to live for the honour of God and for the salvation of our neighbour. You received many graces from God and we ask you to bless us now by presenting our petitions to God (Pause to mention your intentions) With you we give thanks to God as if He had already granted us what we have asked in the name of Jesus who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen! St. Vincent Pallotti, pray for us, Our Lady Queen of Apostles, pray for us, Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be…

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