Every June 9, the Church celebrates San José de Anchieta, a Jesuit missionary who stood out for the breadth and versatility of his knowledge; He was a linguist, writer, doctor, architect, engineer, poet and humanist.
Poet, educator and evangelizer
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Father Anchieta – as everyone knew him – was born on March 19, 1534 in San Cristóbal de la Laguna (Tenerife). At the age of 14 he entered the College of Arts, annexed to the University of Coimbra, where he was one of the best students. He liked poetry and was able to compose Latin verses with extreme ease, which is why he earned the nickname “Canary of Coimbra.”
On May 1, 1551 he entered the Society of Jesus and began his studies in Philosophy. In 1553 he left Tejo, Lisbon (Portugal), for Brazil, where he began catechism with the Tupi Indians. On the feast of Saint Paul in 1555, Anchieta inaugurated the school around which the city we know today as “São Paulo” (Saint Paul, Brazil) was formed.
“Artisan” of God’s work
In 1565 the saint was sent to São Vicente de Rio de Janeiro, where he collaborated in the design and construction of another school and the first hospital in the city, which received the name “House of Mercy.” Shortly afterward he would be ordained a priest.
In São Vicente, where he lived for six years, he worked as a literature teacher at the local school, and there he carried out fruitful pastoral work. Between 1577 and 1587 he was appointed superior of the Jesuits in Brazil, further promoting work in the schools and catechesis of the natives.
Saint Joseph of Anchieta died on June 9, 1597, at the age of 63. On August 10, 1736, Pope Clement XII declared him Venerable. Pope Saint John Paul II beatified him on June 22, 1980.
On April 3, 2014, Pope Francis forever inscribed the name of Father Anchieta in the catalog of saints. Father José is recognized as the one who laid the foundations of evangelization in Brazil.
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