Today, February 4, we celebrate the Liturgical Feast of St. John de Brito, one of the Patrons of World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023.

During his adolescence, St. John of Brito saw his health weaken and doctors even thought he would lose his life. However, his mother never lost hope and, turning to heaven in prayer and intercession, made a promise to Saint Francis Xavier. After this, John recovered in a miraculous way.

St. Francis Xavier, of his forty-six years of life, devoted eleven to mission. Despite his relatively short life, his missionary fruitfulness is admirable. This Spanish religious succeeded in taking the Gospel to the Far East and for this reason is considered a true "giant of evangelisation and mission".

Saint John of Brito was born in Lisbon, in the Mouraria district, on March 1st 1647, into a noble family. His adolescence was marked by his religious and spiritual devotion. Despite being ill, he managed to enter the Society of Jesus and, shortly afterwards, he was ordained a priest. At the age of 26 he became a missionary and embarked for India, where he worked in the midst of great suffering and persecution. In order to better spread the Good News of the Gospel, he took on the local language and customs, promoting new habits and new types of coexistence. He was then sent to Europe as Mission Procurator and later returned to India to continue his work as a missionary. In 1693 he was arrested and died a martyr. He was canonised by Pope Pius XII on 22nd June 1947.

Given his life story, Saint John of Brito became known as "The Portuguese Saint Francis Xavier".

How can I follow the example of St. John of Brito today?

Saint John de Brito is an example for all of us. He showed us that love for Christ, for the Church and for the salvation of souls can have no measure. Saint John de Brito dedicated much of his life to bringing Jesus to others and spreading the Good News in the most remote places of the world.

Don't forget to ask for his intercession as Saint and Patron of WYD Lisbon 2023 for the preparation, realization and dynamism of this Day, so that you too may be able to bring the Word of God to everyone.

St. John of Brito, pray for us!

Learn more about the 13 Patrons of WYD Lisbon 2023 here.