⛪ Saint Bartholomew of Braga

🌟 Saint Bartholomew of Braga 🌟

Dominican Archbishop – Defender of the Council of Trent

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📅 Born: 3 May 1514, Mártires, Santa Maria Maior, Lisbon, Kingdom of Portugal
Baptismal Name: Bartolomeu Fernandes

⚰️ Died: 16 July 1590 (aged 76), Viana do Castelo, Minho, Kingdom of Portugal

🙏 Venerated in: Catholic Church

✝️ Beatified: 4 November 2001 by Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter’s Square

👑 Canonized: 5 July 2019 by Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City

📅 Feast Day: 16 July

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⛪ Church Service:
• Archbishop of Braga (Appointed 29 Jan 1559, Installed 4 Oct 1559)
• Term ended: 23 February 1582
• Consecrated by João Soares
• Predecessor: Baltazar Limpo
• Successor: João Afonso de Menezes

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👕 Attributes: Episcopal attire, Dominican habit, pastoral staff

🌎 Patronage: Archdiocese of Braga, catechists

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“Let us preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Early Life and Religious Formation

Born Bartolomeu Fernandes on 3 May 1514 near Lisbon, Portugal, to Domingos Fernandes and Maria Correia, he was baptized shortly after in the parish church of Nossa Senhora dos Mártires. Fernandes joined the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) on 11 November 1527, making his solemn profession on 20 November 1529. After completing his studies in 1538, he taught philosophy in the Dominican convent in Lisbon and theology in various Dominican houses. In 1551, he earned a master’s degree at the provincial chapter in Salamanca, Spain. He served as prior of the Benfica convent (1557–1558) and taught in Batalha and Évora, where he also educated the son of Luis of Portugal, Duke of Beja, for ecclesiastical life.

Archbishop of Braga

In 1558, despite his reluctance, Fernandes was appointed Archbishop of Braga by Queen Catherine, at the urging of his provincial superior, Louis of Granada. Pope Paul IV confirmed the appointment on 27 January 1559, and Fernandes was consecrated on 3 September 1559 by Bishop João Soares of Coimbra. He was installed as archbishop on 4 October 1559. Fernandes participated in the final sessions of the Council of Trent (1561–1563), contributing 268 suggestions and collaborating with Charles Borromeo. His theological expertise and holiness earned him respect among the council fathers, particularly in discussions on ecclesiastical reform.

Returning to Braga in February 1564, Fernandes implemented the Council of Trent’s reforms and convened a provincial synod in 1566 to restore ecclesiastical discipline and elevate moral standards. During a famine and plague, he demonstrated charity by establishing hospitals and hospices. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII permitted Fernandes to resign, and he retired to the Dominican convent in Viana do Castelo, where he lived in solitude, taught, and died on 16 July 1590.

Works

Fernandes authored several influential works to promote Christian life and ecclesiastical discipline:

Compendium spiritualis doctrinae (Lisbon, 1582)

Stimulus pastorum (Rome, 1564), published at Charles Borromeo’s urging

Catechismo ou Doutrina christiana (Lisbon, 1562)

These works, republished and translated into multiple languages, were later compiled as Opera omnia (Rome, 1734–1735).

Sainthood

The canonization process began under Pope Benedict XIV on 11 September 1754, declaring Fernandes a Servant of God. Pope Gregory XVI named him Venerable on 23 May 1845 after confirming his heroic virtue. A miracle investigated in Portugal was validated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on 12 March 1999, approved by medical and theological boards in 2000–2001, and confirmed by Pope John Paul II on 7 July 2001. Fernandes was beatified on 4 November 2001 in Saint Peter’s Square. On 5 July 2019, Pope Francis approved his equipollent canonization, waiving the second miracle requirement, thus declaring him a saint.

Legacy

A statue of Fernandes on a donkey stands in Viana do Castelo, where his tomb is also located. Known posthumously as Saint Bartholomew of the Martyrs, he is remembered for his contributions to the Council of Trent, his reforms in Braga, and his charitable works.

Styles

Reference style: His Most Reverend Lordship

Spoken style: Your Most Reverend Lordship

Posthumous style: Saint

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