Blessed João Fernandes was chosen as one of the Patrons of the World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023 for his devotion to Jesus and his death as a martyr. To get to know him better, here are seven fun facts about his life:

1.

João Fernandes was born in Lisbon and from an early age showed an interest in the life of Jesus and the study of letters. In April 1568, at the age of seventeen, he entered the Society of Jesus in Coimbra.

2.

In 1570 he joined the group of novices led by Blessed Inácio de Azevedo, at the Vale do Rosal farm near Almada, with the goal to prepare them spiritually and physically for the tasks they were to perform in Brazil.

3.

João Fernandes left for Brazil on June 5, 1570, having embarked on the merchant ship São Tiago, where 39 other companions followed, including Blessed Inácio de Azevedo.

4.

On July 15, 1570, while sailing near the island of La Palma, the ship São Tiago was attacked by a fleet of five ships of Huguenot pirates who martyred them.

5.

The death of the Jesuit and missionary Ignatius of Azevedo and his 39 companions at the hands of Huguenot pirates was the greatest collective martyrdom of the modern era and had enormous repercussions throughout Europe.

6.

Pius IX recognized the martyrdom and confirmed the devotion of Blessed Ignatius of Azevedo and his 39 companions on 11 May 1854, establishing his feast day on 17 July.

7.

Although they did not reach their destination, Blessed João Fernandes and his 39 companions became known as the "Martyrs of Brazil", contributing in heaven to the mission they were unable to accomplish on earth.

Recently, in the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus vivit, Pope Francis recalled that "the heart of the Church is also full of young saints, who gave their lives for Christ, many of them even to the point of martyrdom", and he also emphasized that "they are magnificent reflections of the young Christ, who shine forth to stimulate us and to bring us out of our slumber".