Blessed Ignatius de Azevedo

Life story

Ignatius de Azevedo was born around 1526 at Porto, Portugal (sources give from 1526 to 1528). He entered the Jesuits in 1548, was ordained in 1553 and served as head of the order's colleges at Lisbon, Coimbra and Braga. In 1565 the superior general Francis Borgia named him visitor to Brazil; he arrived at Salvador da Bahia in August 1566 and toured the missions.

After returning to Europe he was made provincial of Brazil and recruited about seventy volunteers, mostly students and novices. In June 1570 the group set out from Lisbon. Rumours of French corsairs held part of the expedition at Madeira. Azevedo then boarded the Santiago, bound for La Palma, with companions; four Jesuits left the group before the voyage because of the danger.

Near La Palma the ship was stopped by Huguenot corsairs led by Jacques Sourie. On 15 July 1570 he and his companions were killed and thrown into the sea; forty in all are counted as martyrs. One, John Sánchez, was spared because the corsairs needed a cook, later escaped and told the story. Pope Pius IX beatified him on 11 May 1854. The feast of the martyrs is 17 July.

Works and witness

• Entered the Jesuits in 1548 and was ordained in 1553
• Visitor to Brazil from 1566
• Recruited about seventy volunteers for the Brazilian missions
• Killed by Huguenot corsairs near La Palma on 15 July 1570
• Beatified by Pius IX on 11 May 1854

Saints from the same country

Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, Saint John of God, Saints Francisco and Jacinta Marto

References

• Jesuits Global, 'Blessed Ignatius de Azevedo'
• Wikipedia article on Inácio de Azevedo (read in full; dates, companions count, beatification)
• Search summaries (Jesuit Singapore, Living Space) corroborating the 5 June 1570 departure and 15 July 1570 attack

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