Saint John de Britto

Saint John de Britto was born in 1647 into an aristocratic family in Lisbon. His father held the position of Viceroy in the Portuguese Government, and the family maintained close ties with the royal family. At the age of 11, Britto's primary pastime was playing with Prince Pedro. From a young age, Britto drew inspiration from the life of St. Francis Xavier. During a period of illness, Britto and his mother sought the intercession of St. Xavier through prayer. In gratitude for his recovery, Britto's mother made a vow that if her son regained his health, she would dress him in the attire of a Priest for a year. Britto indeed recovered, and his mother fulfilled her vow. 

From that point onward, John's heart burned with a desire to emulate the Apostle of the Indies, aspiring only to wear the habit of the great missionary and dedicate his life to the conversion of the infidel.

He gained admission to the Society of Jesus at the age of 15. His academic success was so remarkable that considerable efforts were made after his ordination to keep him in Portugal. However, grace prevailed, and in 1673, he embarked on a journey to Goa with sixteen fellow Jesuits. 

As the Superior of the Madura mission, he endured considerable hardships while traversing vast regions on foot, located only 10 degrees north of the equator. Those who collaborated with him, as noted in their letters to Europe, spoke highly of his courage and dedication. They praised the extraordinary austerity of his life and the abundant conversions that resulted from his labors. For 14 years, he worked tirelessly, preaching, converting, and baptizing multitudes despite facing significant privation, hardship, and persecution. After being seized, tortured, and nearly massacred by heathens, he was ultimately banished from the country. Forced to return to Portugal in 1683, John once again overcame every obstacle and resumed his labor of love in 1691.

Like St. John the Baptist, he met his end as a victim of the wrath of a guilty woman, discarded by a converted king. Like his precursor, he was beheaded after enduring a torturous imprisonment. ""I await death,"" he had written to his Superior, ""and I await it with patience. It has always been the object of my prayers. It forms today the most precious reward of my labors and my sufferings."" Upon the news of his execution on February 4, 1693, reaching Lisbon, King Pedro ordered a solemn service of thanksgiving. The martyr's mother attended, dressed not in mourning but in a festive gown. St. John was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1947.

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God, who brought Your martyr blessed St. John de Britto to overcome the torments of his passion, grant that through his intercession, we may remain invincible under Your protection against the snares of the enemy.

Prepared and updated by:

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,

Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.