Each spring, when the scent of orange blossoms fills the air and the Mediterranean light grows warmer, communities across Spain, particularly in the Valencian region, come alive to honour one of their most beloved sons: San Vicente Ferrer.
Who Was San Vicente Ferrer?
Born in Valencia in 1350, Vicente Ferrer was a Dominican friar, preacher, and missionary whose eloquence and compassion earned him the title “The Angel of the Apocalypse.” He travelled widely through Spain, France, and Italy, calling for peace and renewal in a divided world. Speaking in his native Valencian, he captivated audiences of all backgrounds with a message of repentance and reconciliation.
Canonized in 1455 by Pope Callixtus III, himself a Valencian, born in Canals, San Vicente Ferrer became a symbol of faith, intellect, and moral conviction as well as the spiritual heart of the Valencian region.
When Is His Feast Celebrated?
The feast of San Vicente Ferrer falls on the second Monday after Easter, known locally as Lunes de San Vicente and it is a vivid blend of devotion, history, and theatrical tradition. In 2026, this special day will fall on Monday 13th April.
In Valencia, the heart of the festivities lies in the theatrical performances of “Los Milagros” (The Miracles), held at fourteen altars erected throughout the city’s streets. Over the three days leading up to the feast, children under thirteen perform short plays and recite poetry in the Valencian language, depicting episodes from the saint’s life and the miracles he performed. Each altar community stages its own interpretation, accompanied by vivid imagery and decorative tableaux that transform the neighbourhoods into open-air theatres of faith and culture.
Judges select the most outstanding performance, and the winning “miracle” is presented in the Plaza de la Virgen, followed by a traditional fireworks display in the Plaza de la Crida, in front of the Torres de Serranos, bringing the theatrical celebrations to a brilliant close.
On the feast day itself, a Solemn Pontifical Mass is held in the Cathedral of Valencia, followed by a civic procession from the City Hall to the house where San Vicente Ferrer was born, where floral offerings are laid at his statue. The thunderous mascletà, an explosive midday firework display, echoes through the city before another round of miracles is performed at the various neighbourhood altars throughout the afternoon.
As evening falls, the Solemn General Procession departs from the Cathedral, following the traditional route through the old town. The festivities conclude with the lowering of the image of the saint in each neighbourhood, a symbolic closing act that marks the end of Valencia’s tribute to one of its greatest sons.
A Moment in Xàbia: The Sermon of 1410
After visiting his sister Constanza in Teulada, where he performed a miracle that caused the Font Santa spring to gush forth from a stone at her request, San Vicente Ferrer arrived in Xàbia in 1410 to visit his niece Margarita Ferrer, who was married to a man from the village.
On Good Friday, during the solemn procession of the Santo Entierro, he preached a powerful sermon on the Passion of Christ from a balcony overlooking the church square in the heart of the historic centre. To this day, the incumbent parish priest continues this centuries-old tradition, delivering a sermon from a balcony located in the same place before the modern-day procession makes its way through the old town. The balcony stands beside a decorative tile mural, created in 1955 to mark five hundred years since the saint’s canonization, commemorating that sacred moment when his words first echoed through Xàbia’s streets.
It is also no coincidence that the xabieros have long been inclined to name their sons Vicente and daughters Vicenta, a quiet reflection of enduring local devotion. There is even a street named after the saint that runs down from the olive tree roundabout to Calle San Joaquín. About halfway along, a small niche containing an image of San Vicente Ferrer is set into the left-hand wall, typically adorned with fresh flowers on his feast day.
Across the Valencian region, schools close for Lunes de San Vicente, giving the day the feel of a long weekend at the end of the Easter holidays rather than a major public celebration. In Xàbia, life continues much as normal – some of the major supermarkets may be closed – yet the story of San Vicente’s visit and his miraculous legacy remain quietly woven into the town’s character.
A Saint Who Still Speaks to Spain
Across Spain, and especially along the Valencian coast, San Vicente Ferrer is more than a historical figure; he is part of the cultural and spiritual fabric. Streets, plazas, and chapels bear his name, and his message of unity and compassion continues to resonate.
As Easter fades into spring, the bells that ring out on Lunes de San Vicente remind communities not just of a saint’s legacy, but of the timeless spirit of renewal, faith, and belonging that defines Mediterranean Spain.