Today, May 12, we celebrate the Liturgical Feast of Blessed Joan of Portugal, who was chosen as one of the Patrons of World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023 for giving her entire life to Jesus Christ.

To get to know her better we leave here ten curiosities about the Portuguese princess:

1.

Daughter of King Afonso V and Queen Isabel, Princess Joana was born in Lisbon on February 6, 1452. Her name is due to Queen Elizabeth's devotion to Saint John the Evangelist.

2.

Orphaned by her mother at the age of four, she always tried to practice the most edifying virtue, both in her detachment from the grandeur of the court and the vanities of the world, and in her deep piety and interior life, in sincere devotion to the passion of Christ and in charity towards the poor.

3.

Despite being a long-awaited child and fundamental to the natural succession to the throne of Portugal, during his growth he showed a growing religious inclination, manifesting early on his intention to give his life to Jesus Christ.

4.

At the age of 15, Blessed Joan of Portugal took part in spiritual retreats, prayers, religious reading and contemplation. She performed harsh penances, fasted often and never failed to practice charity towards the poor who came to the palace.

5.

At the age of 19 he managed to convince his father to offer his only daughter to God, as thanksgiving for the victories achieved in battles, consenting that she enter the Monastery of Odivelas.

6.

The following year, Joana de Portugal entered the Monastery of Jesus, in Aveiro, wearing for the first time the Dominican habit of novice in 1472.

7.

Since her health did not allow her to take definitive vows, she remained a secular Dominican, obeying all the rules with commendable rigour and dedicated to the most humble services.

8.

As a manifestation of her way of feeling and living, she adopted the crown of thorns as her personal distinctive.

9.

With a fragile health, princess Joan died on May 12th 1490, at the age of 38. She was buried in the lower choir of the Jesus Monastery Chapel, where her relics are kept.

10.

In 1693, two centuries after her death, Pope Innocent XII declared her Blessed Joana of Portugal and her liturgical feast is celebrated on May 12. Later, in 1965, Pope Saint Paul VI proclaimed her special patroness of the city and the Diocese of Aveiro.

Get to know the Patrons of WYD Lisbon 2023 here.