Saint John de Britto

St. John de Britto was born in 1647 to an aristocratic family in Lisbon, where his father was the Viceroy. 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 vowed 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 to wear the habit of the great missionary. 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 faced significant hardships while traversing regions north of the equator. His collaborators praised his courage, austerity, and the many conversions resulting from his 14 years of tireless work despite persecution and hardship. After enduring torture and being banished in 1683, he resumed his mission in 1691. Like St. John the Baptist, he was executed by a vengeful woman and beheaded after a torturous imprisonment. He expressed a readiness for death, considering it a reward for his labors. Following his execution on February 4, 1693, King Pedro of Portugal ordered a thanksgiving service, with the martyr's mother attending in a festive gown. He 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

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed  and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)