Saint Joseph of Anchieta

Born in the Canary Islands, Spain, Joseph of Anchieta moved to Portugal at the young age of fourteen to pursue his studies. He enrolled at the University of Coimbra to study Literature and Philosophy. It was in Portugal that he first came into contact with the Society of Jesus and the testimony of Saint Francis Xavier.

Called “a “little canary”

At the age of 17, before an image of Our Lady, he made his commitment to abandon everything and serve God. Anchieta became a Jesuit in 1551, where he completed a demanding novitiate and, despite his fragile health, took his vows of chastity, poverty and obedience in 1553.

Apostolate in Brazil

Inspired by the letters of the Jesuit missionaries, that same year, at the age of 19, Joseph left for the Land of the Holy Cross, where he carried out a great work of evangelization, devoting himself entirely to the service of the natives. The saint disseminated Christian precepts using local peculiarities, dedicated himself to learning the language and, like the other Jesuits, strongly opposed the abuses committed by the Portuguese colonizers.

In 1566, Anchieta was ordained a priest. And, in 1577, he was named Provincial of the Society of Jesus in Brazil, a position he held until 1585.

Literature

Joseph of Anchieta, from a young age, was a lover of art. Called “canarinho” by his companions, due to his love of reciting poetry, he wrote several plays and poems about the life of Christ. At a time when it was very difficult to remain a saint, after giving himself up as a hostage in a prison in defense of peace, he made a promise to Our Lady and wrote the famous “Poem to the Virgin”.

Many of his writings are of great relevance to the entire history of Brazil.

Pilgrim and miracles

Just like the founder of the Society of Jesus – Saint Ignatius of Loyola – Joseph was a pilgrim on this earth, traveling to various places where he founded schools and cities; he taught and learned various skills with the native people.

There are many miracles, cures and gifts attributed to this saint who lived his mission in intense prayer and communion with the Holy Spirit and in the company of the Virgin Mary.

Beatification and Canonization

Considered the “Apostle of Brazil”, Joseph of Anchieta was beatified on June 22, 1980, by Pope John Paul II; and on April 3, 2014, he was declared a saint through a decree signed by Pope Francis.

Near a volcano, on the Canary Island of Tenerife, God’s tenderness weaves, through the affections of Mencia Dias and Juan López, the boy Joseph, who was born on March 19, 1534 in the city of San Cristobal de la Laguna.

During his childhood, he received a profoundly Christian education from his parents. They were also the ones who taught him his first letters. At the age of 12, his parents sent him to Portugal to study at the College of Arts.

In Coimbra, the young man got to know firsthand the busy life of a European city with its beauty and difficulties, opportunities and risks. As a teenager, he devoted himself entirely to the care of the Virgin Mary. In the Jesuit Church, Joseph of Anchieta served as an altar boy at every Mass he could, attending up to 8 Masses a day.

The fame of the new religious Order called the Society of Jesus, founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, spread throughout Europe through the testimony of its first missionaries, such as Francis Xavier and many others, who set out with their bags full of seeds of the Gospel to sow them in new worlds. In this way, the Society of Jesus set the heart of young Joseph on fire, and he did not delay his response. At the age of 17, Anchieta enthusiastically embraced this new charisma that was emerging in the Church and in the world. Young Joseph became a Jesuit.

Joseph of Anchieta faced many difficulties during his mission in Brazil, but he always remained faithful to Christian ideals and dedicated himself to serving God and his neighbor. With a life marked by miracles and extraordinary deeds, Saint Joseph of Anchieta is an example of holiness and faith for all Brazilians and for the world. After being canonized by Pope Francis in 2014, he became a symbol of Christianity in Brazil, being venerated and invoked by thousands of faithful in search of graces and miracles. May his intercession continue to protect and guide us on our path of faith and devotion.