Bartholomew of Braga

Blessed Bartholomew of Braga, later known as Bartolomeus a Martyribus (Bartolomeu dos Mártires in Portuguese), out of veneration for the church in which he was baptized, was a Portuguese Dominican theologian and Archbishop of Braga.

Biography

Bartolomeu Fernandes was born at Verdela, near Lisbon in May 1514, of humble parentage. He entered the Dominican Order on 11 November 1527, and was professed 20 November 1529. On the completion of his studies, he taught philosophy in the monastery at Lisbon, and then for about twenty years theology in various houses of his order. In 1551 he received the Master's degree at the provincial chapter of Salamanca in Spain.^[1]

While teaching theology in the monastery of Batalha, he was summoned to Évora by the Infante Dom Luis to undertake the religious education of his son, Dom António, who was entering the ecclesiastical state. He devoted two years to this task. In 1558, against his own desires, and only out of obedience to his provincial superior, Luis of Granada, he accepted the appointment to the archepiscopal see of Braga, for which he had been chosen by Queen Catherine, and in 1559 received episcopal consecration. He devoted himself to the duties of his new office.^[1]

On the resumption of the General Council of Trent in 1561, Bartholomew repaired to the council and took part in the last sessions. He was highly esteemed among the Fathers of the council, both on account of his theological learning and the holiness of his life, and exercised great influence in the discussions, particularly with regard to the decrees on the reform of ecclesiastical life.^[1]

On the conclusion of the council he returned, in February, 1564, to his see, and in 1566 held an important provincial synod in which decrees were passed for the restoration of ecclesiastical discipline and the elevation of the moral life of clergy and people (Concilium provinciale Bracarense quartum, Braga, 1567). The archbishop now devoted himself to the task of carrying out the reforms of the Council of Trent as well as the decrees of his own provincial synod. A great famine and a visitation of the plague revealed the depths of his charity.

After repeated requests, having received, on 20 February 1582, permission to resign his see, he withdrew to the monastery of his order at Viana do Castelo, to prepare in solitude for the end. He died at Viana do Castelo on 16 July 1590.

Works

Bartholomew of Braga

In the interests of Christian life and the promotion of ecclesiastical discipline, he wrote

• "Compendium spiritualis doctrinae ex variis sanc. Patrum sententiis magana ex parte collectum" (Lisbon, 1582)
• "Stimulus pastorum ex gravissimis sanct. Patrum sententiis concinnatus, in quo agitur de vita et moribus episcoporum aliorumque praelatorum" (Rome, 1564; published at the instance of St. Charles Borromeo)
• "Catechismo ou Doutrina christiana" (Lisbon, 1562).

All these writings have been frequently republished and translated into several languages. A collective edition is: "Opera omnia cura et studio Malachiae d'Inguinbert, archiepisc. Theodos." (1 vol. Fol. In 2 parts, Rome, 1734–35).

Veneration

In 1845 Pope Gregory XVI declared him Venerable, and on 4 November 2001, Pope John Paul II beatified him.

References

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