Saint Louis Bertrand
The Dominican friar of Valencia who nursed plague victims and then sailed to New Granada
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Missionary, Priest, Religious
- Life
- 1526 – 1581
- Era
- 16th century
- Feast
- 9 October
- Countries
- Spain, Colombia
Life story
Louis Bertrand, known in Spanish as Luis Beltrán, was born on 1 January 1526 in Valencia. He entered the Dominican order in his home city while still young, was ordained a priest and was soon given responsibilities within the friary. He was known as a man of strict habits and steady prayer. Accounts of his life describe an austere friar who prayed long and took on humble tasks in the community without complaint, while remaining approachable to the townspeople of Valencia.
When an epidemic broke out in Valencia in the mid sixteenth century, he stayed in the city to care for the sick and to bury the dead. Afterwards he was entrusted with training novices. Biographical sources say he was often hard on himself but gentle with others.
In 1562 he set out for New Granada, the territory that is now Colombia. During about seven years in the Americas he worked along the Caribbean coast and in the interior, learned local languages and preached to many communities. Some sources record that he protested against the harsh treatment of native peoples by certain settlers. In 1569 he returned to Spain.
In his last years he taught and guided novices in Valencia until his death on 9 October 1581. He was canonised by Pope Clement X in 1671. He is honoured as one of the patrons of Colombia, and his feast is kept on 9 October.
Works and witness
- Entered the Dominicans in Valencia and was ordained a priest
- Cared for the sick during an epidemic in Valencia in the mid sixteenth century
- Spent about seven years as a missionary in New Granada, now Colombia
- Trained Dominican novices in Valencia
- Canonised in 1671
Patron of
Colombia
Saints from the same country
References
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), entry Louis Bertrand
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.