Blessed Joanna, Princess of Portugal

Life story

Joanna was born in Lisbon in February 1452, the daughter of King Afonso V of Portugal and Queen Isabel of Coimbra. After her brother's death she was for a time heir to the throne, until her brother, the future John II, was born in 1455.

From childhood she wished to belong wholly to Christ. She firmly resisted the marriages her father and brother tried to arrange, although several princes sought her hand. While her father was away she acted as regent of the kingdom; one source ties this to his 1471 expedition to Tangier.

In the 1470s she entered the Dominican Convent of Jesus at Aveiro, which kept a strict rule. The Catholic Encyclopedia says political pressure briefly forced her back to court, but she was later professed. She left her wealth to the convent.

She died at Aveiro on 12 May 1490, aged about 38, and was buried in the convent. The sources say she was regarded as holy and that miracles were reported after her death. Innocent XII beatified her in 1693. She has not been canonised, though in Portugal she is known as Princess Saint Joanna. Her feast day is 12 May.

Works and witness

• Refused marriage proposals arranged by her father and brother
• Acted as regent while her father was away
• Entered the Dominican Convent of Jesus at Aveiro
• Left her wealth to the convent
• Beatified by Innocent XII in the late seventeenth century

Saints from the same country

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

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia (via EWTN): 'Blessed Joanna of Portugal', ewtn.com/catholicism/library/blessed-joanna-of-portugal-5345
• Wikipedia: 'Joanna, Princess of Portugal' (beatified 1693, died 12 May 1490)
• Museu de Aveiro / Infopedia (Portuguese) on the Convent of Jesus at Aveiro

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