Latin – Sweet/gently/pleasantly in manner, firm in action.
Testimony of Fr. Engene Tramble OSA on the holiness of Msgr. Vincent Foy
I gave a homily at Mass today that explained the motto of Msgr. Foy: “Suaviter in modo, firmitur in re” – Sweet in manor, but firm.
This motto describes Msgr. Foy perfectly. He lived up to it.
I first met Msgr. Foy, when he came here to the Augustinian Monastery of Marylake in King City in the 1970s, around 1978. He lived here as a resident for 2-3 years, and actually in the very room I now have. I feel happy to have the same room that he stayed in.
I was privileged to be able to ask him for and receive guidance. He was able to give comforting words in times of trouble. He was excellent at calming you down. I followed his sound advice.
He was a great spiritual director. He was an expert on psychology. He understood and had good advise on the spiritual life.
He gave super duper answers to the most difficult and complicated theological questions. He would have made an excellent bishop or cardinal.
He was an inspiring example and mentor for vocations. He helped priests with challenges and difficulties in their vocation. For example, he was a great help for Fr. Henry MacErlean OSA to be reinstated. He helped others to become ordained to the priesthood. He encouraged priests to be faithful.
Christ went up to Calvary as did Msgr. Foy. Jesus said “Father forgive them they don’t know what they do”. Msgr. Foy had this spiritual dimension. He had a very focused mind and was grounded in truth and forgiveness. He preached forgiveness and lived it.
He could console you.
He was strong and firm on the Catholic teaching and a great admirer of Pius X, a very saintly pope.
He covered charity, forgiveness, fidelity to Humanae vitae, and was devoted to Pope St. Pius X and the Church. By the way, the current pope has recently made SSPX confessions valid since the Year of Mercy in 2016.
He was a man of great virtue – very kind and understanding.
He was polite with those who were arrogant and theologically argumentative in opposing Church teaching. After defending the Church’s position and teaching, he kindly said to a young man: ‘young man you will find out’. When he had to confront someone with heretical views, he did so in a very nice way. He remained consistently exceptionally well mannered and charitable.
He lived up to the motto he preached: “Suaviter in modo, firmitur in re” – Sweet in manor, but firm. He was able to remain very firm.
He had a genuine concern for the all round well-being of others, and demonstrated a brotherly compassion and love. He did not put others down and said things in a loving way.
Msgr. Foy was a very wise man and priest.
All the best in your efforts to promote the cause of Monsignor Foy.
Fr. Eugene Tramble, September 12, 2019
Note: Fr. Eugene reported on October 28, 2020 that he believes he received healing through the intercession of Msgr. Foy. Details recorded in private journal.
MSGR. VINCENT FOY 
You must be logged in to post a comment.