BENEDICTINE MODEL FOR TODAY'S YOUTH

Another Benedictine will be added to the roster of saints.  In a June 14 audience with the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis approved the publication of decrees that advance decrees on the heroic virtues of seven Servants of God, who may now be honored with the title “Venerable”, among them is BERNARDO of the ANNUNCIATION   (Bernardo de Vasconcelos, 1902-32), a Portuguese Benedictine monk and  mystic poet. 

He was born in 1902 in  in São Romão do Corgo, Braga, Portugal.

He studied at the University of Coimbra, Portugal and was a Member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. He was very devoted to Adoration of the Holy Eucharist. He was also editor of a journal devoted to democracy.  In 1925, discerning a call to religious life, he entered the Monastery of St. Benedict of Singeverga, which was founded in 1892. Later he was sent to the Abbey of Mont-César in Belgium to study theology, but soon had to return home, having contracted tuberculosis. 

He died before ordination, 4 July 1932 in Foz do Douro, Porto, Portugal of spinal tuberculosis and is buried at the São Romão do Corgo parish church.

Although he died young, he left a large body of Catholic poetic work. He was responsible for many conversions, including the poet Teixera Pascoaes. His book Song of Love, was published on the day of his death. 

The archbishop of Braga says he is a model and inspiration to youth today. He was a “young man in love with Christ.”