Frei Galvão

He was born in Guaratinguetá, in the captaincy of São Paulo. On October 25, 1998 he became the first Brazilian to be beatified by the Vatican, having been declared Venerable on March 8 1997.

On May 11, 2007, he became the first Brazilian to be canonized a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church in Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Brazil.

Life

His family was well-to-do and had a high socio-economic influence.

He was also known for his piety and virtue. According to Pope Benedict XVI, Frei Galvão was constantly adoring the Eucharist. It is from here that he drew his strength to be of continuous service to other people. "He was renowned as a counsellor, he was a bringer of peace to souls and families, and a dispenser of charity especially towards the poor and the sick. He was greatly sought out as a confessor, because he was zealous, wise and prudent. It is characteristic of those who truly love that they do not want the Beloved to be offended; the conversion of sinners was therefore the great passion of our saint," said Benedict XVI in his canonization homily.

One of Frei Galvão famous words were:"Pray that the Lord our God will raise sinners with his mighty arm from the wretched depths of the sins in which they find themselves."

He was also supposed to have affirmed the doctrine Immaculate Conception before it was proclaimed a dogma.

References

External links

• Frei Galvão at Catholic Forum
• Benedict XVI Canonization Homily