Brother Anthony Galvão
In Sao Paulo, Brazil, Blessed Anthony of St. Anne Galvao de França, a priest of the Order of Friars Minor, who dedicated himself fruitfully to preaching and the ministry of penance and founded the "Retreat of the Light", in which he led a community of Sisters under his exemplary spiritual direction..
Roman Martyrology No. 10
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The first Brazilian raised to the glory of the altars
The world needs holy souls and creatures who refuse to be considered an object of pleasure.
It needs Christians who are faithful to God, as in the example of this shining Saint.
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Already in the formula of his consecration: "Take my life rather than offend your blessed Son, my Lord," he presents himself with strong words, the fruit of a passionate soul.
He was nourished by Franciscan spirituality and embraced religious life with a soul aflame with love.
One of Friar Galvão's first acts as a priest was to make his consecration as a "Servant and perpetual slave" of Our Lady, which he signed with his own blood, an act of devotion to the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
In fact, this saint gave himself irrevocably to the Mother of Jesus from his youth, desiring to belong to her forever and choosing the Virgin Mary as the mother and protector of his spiritual daughters.
A man of peace and charity, a fervent witness to the worship of the Eucharist, available to serve the people, a renowned counselor, a peacemaker of souls and families, especially charitable towards the poor and the sick.
He was sought after for confessions because he was zealous, wise, and prudent. The fame of his immense charity was such that all, the poor, the sick in body and spirit, flocked to him to implore his help.
Ahead of his time, Friar Galvao prophetically proclaimed the truth of the "Immaculate Conception."
A dogma later proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854, which teaches that "The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, was preserved intact from all stain of original sin" (Bull Ineffabilis Deus).
In a few years, he rose from simple cleric to confessor to esteemed preacher.
Appointed in 1769-70 as confessor to a "Recolhimento" of pious women in São Paulo, he met Sister Helena Maria do Espirito Santo, a great penitent. Through visions, Jesus invited this nun to found a new Recolhimento.
And she, together with Friar Galvão, founded the "Recolhimento de Nossa Senhora da Conceiçao da Divina Providencia."
In Friar Galvao, extraordinary signs typical of a servant of the Lord occurred, such as the miracle of the pregnant woman, the faithful and the rain, the handkerchief, the devil's chicken, the miracle of Potunduva, and the miracle of beatification (Daniela and the miracle of beatification).
He manifested extraordinary phenomena such as bilocation - the ability to be in multiple places at once - telepathy - communication of thoughts or sensations over a distance between two or more people—premonition - sensation or warning of an event yet to happen- clairvoyance—seeing what is yet to happen - levity - rising above the ground with a soul inflamed with love—and teleperception—knowing events that have occurred even at a great distance.
This saint from Guaratinguetá, with a zeal born of a living charity, launched himself toward impossible feats, but as the Lord says, "What is impossible for man is possible for God."
He therefore left us a beautiful example to follow, strong and passionate words that should be part of the normal life of every Christian.
A special invitation
If you wish to attain joy and acquire virtues, listen to the invitation of Jesus: "Whatever you ask for with faith in prayer, you will obtain" (Mt 18,20). In fact, without prayer, no spiritual journey is possible, nor can one follow in the footsteps of Jesus, our Savior.
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