THE 423rd DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF ST JOSE DE ANCHIETA, SJ (1534-1597)

 Anchieta was born in La Laguna, Spain. At the age 14, he moved to Portugal to pursue his studies at the prestigious university. After completing his academic training, 

    he marched as a missionary to Brazil, where he became a great defender of the rights of Indians against the abuses of the settlers; In addition, 

    he performed a great work in teaching and preaching the Gospel, particularly among the oppressed to whom he paid full attention. Care for the sick and dying was another of 

    his major concerns, along with the promotion and conservation of the native languages of the country of which he was a great scholar. 

    Famous were his devout poems written in Portuguese and Tupi. Also important were his studies on ethnography, botany and zoology. Master of poverty and obedience, erudite, helpful,

    humble and tireless worker, very devout of the Passion of Christ. Pope John Paul II beatified him in 1980, calling him "the Apostle of Brazil". 

    Anchieta was the first Spanish in being canonized by Pope Francis in 2014.





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