St. John de Brito Biography
Saint John de Brito Profile. Born: 1 March 1647 in Portugal, Europe. Worked in India. Died: 4 February 1693 in Oreiour, India. Feast Day is celebrated on February 4.
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The Memorial of Saint John de Brito – Saint of the Day |
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St. John de Brito Biography, Feast Day, Date of Birth, Country of Birth, Profession, Place of Work, Date of Death, Place of Death, Beatification Date, Canonization Date |
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Date of Birth |
1 March 1647 |
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Country of Birth |
Portugal of Europe |
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Matrimony/Holy Orders |
Saints who were Not Married |
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Profession |
Missionary work |
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Place of Work |
India |
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Date of Death |
4 February 1693 |
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Place of Death |
Oreiour, India |
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Feast Day |
February 4 |
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Beatification |
Beatified by Pope Pius IX on 21 August 1853 |
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Canonization |
Canonized by Pope Pius XII on 22 June 1947 |
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Patron Saint of |
Portugal |
St. John de Brito Biography
St. John de Brito was born in Portuguese and a favorite of Don Pedro, King of Portugal. He was the son to Governor of Brazil. He joined the Jesuits at age 15 and later joined the University of Coimbra. John was ordained a priest.
He moved to India against his [parents will for mission work and was sent to Madura. He studied the Complex Indian caste system where he later found that most converts are from the lower caste. He also noted that for Christianity to last, the higher caste had to also convert.
He worked at Malabar, Marava, Tanjore, and Madura where he established himself as an Indian all the way to dressing. John held retreats in Southern India where interested Indians could visit him. At times he was accepted though the locals would torture him. He managed to convert approximately more than 10,000 people and was appointed the superior of the mission in 1685.
His success in converting Indians brought a move by the high caste Indians to kill him. John and his catechists were arrested, tortured and ordered to leave the country. However, when he refused, the rajah ordered John executed.
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