Saint Anthony

Saint Anthony of Saint Anne Galvão was a Brazilian friar of the Franciscan Order who lived from 1739 to 1822. He was one of the best-known religious figures in colonial Brazil, renowned for his healing powers and his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007, becoming the first Brazilian-born saint. He was also the patron of World Youth Day 2013. He entered the novitiate of the St. Bonaventure Friary in 1760 and took the name of Anthony of Saint Anne. He was ordained a priest in 1762 and sent to St. Francis Friary in São Paulo, where he continued his studies in theology and philosophy. He was appointed preacher, confessor and porter of the convent, and also served as confessor to the Recollects of St. Teresa. He collaborated in the foundation of the Conceptionist Sisters, a religious congregation dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary. He wrote the statutes and rules for the new institute and became its spiritual director. He also helped to build the convent and church, which took him 28 years to complete. He was known for his humility, prudence and charity. He performed many miracles of healing, conversion and reconciliation. He also distributed small paper pills with a prayer to the Blessed Virgin, which became popular as a remedy for physical and spiritual ailments. He died of natural causes in 1822, at the age of 83. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1998 and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007.