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Saint Antônio Galvão
Image: Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Saint Antônio Galvão

Franciscan friar of São Paulo, the first saint born in Brazil

Rank
Saint
Kind
Priest, Religious, Founder
Life
1739 – 1822
Era
19th century
Feast
25 October
Countries
Brazil
Brazil

Life story

Antônio Galvão de França was born in 1739 in Guaratinguetá, in the São Paulo region, then part of the Portuguese Empire. He was sent to Bahia to study with the Jesuits, then entered the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) in 1760, taking the religious name Anthony of Saint Anne. He was ordained a priest in 1762 and was then posted to São Paulo.

In São Paulo he heard confessions, preached, and acted as spiritual director to a woman of prayer, Sister Helena Maria do Espírito Santo. In 1774 he helped her found a seclusion house (recolhimento) for women, and after her death he continued to look after the community. He also oversaw the building of the community's new house, known today as the Monastery of Light, which became a landmark of the city.

According to tradition, he wrote a short Latin prayer on a small piece of paper, rolled it into a pill and gave it to the sick to swallow. The Church recommends that only the gravely ill use it, and some physicians regard the practice as a placebo. He died on 23 December 1822 in São Paulo. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 25 October 1998, and Pope Benedict XVI canonised him on 11 May 2007 in São Paulo, making him the first saint born in Brazil. In Brazil the Church keeps his memorial on 25 October.

Works and witness

  • Entered the Franciscans in 1760 and was ordained in 1762
  • Helped found a seclusion house for women in São Paulo in 1774
  • Oversaw construction of the new Luz convent, now the Monastery of Light
  • According to tradition, gave paper prayer pills to the sick
  • Canonised on 11 May 2007

Saints from the same country

Saint Dulce Lopes Pontes, Blessed Nhá Chica, Saint Mateus Moreira, Blessed Isabel Cristina Mrad Campos

References

  • Martyrologium Romanum (11 May)
  • Dicastery for the Causes of Saints: biography and canonisation records, 11 May 2007
  • Franciscan Order of Friars Minor biographical sources on Frei Galvão

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.