St. John de Britto (4th February)

St. John de Britto’s life is an inspiring story of faith, courage, and sacrifice. He was born on March 1, 1647, in Lisbon, Portugal, into a noble family. Despite his privileged upbringing, John chose to dedicate his life to God and became a Jesuit missionary. He traveled far from his homeland to South India, where he spent his life serving others and spreading the message of Christ. John grew up in a devout family. His mother’s strong faith and his father’s role as a governor influenced him greatly. When John was a child, he became very ill, and his mother prayed to St. Francis Xavier for his recovery. After he was healed, John’s mother believed it was a miracle, and this event shaped his desire to follow in the footsteps of missionaries like St. Francis Xavier.

At 15, John joined the Jesuits, a group of priests dedicated to spreading the Gospel. As he studied and prepared for his mission, he felt called to serve in India. In 1673, he left Portugal, saying goodbye to his family and comfortable life, to begin his missionary work. When John arrived in South India, he worked hard to understand the local culture. He learned the Tamil language and adopted the simple dress of a Hindu holy man, wearing saffron robes. He lived like the people he served, respecting their customs and traditions. This helped him build trust and allowed him to share the teachings of Christ in a way that was meaningful to them.

John believed in making Christianity accessible to everyone, especially the poor and marginalized. His approach was new for the time and led many people, especially those from lower castes, to embrace the Christian faith because it offered them hope and dignity. John’s work was not easy. Some local rulers and religious leaders saw him as a threat because his teachings challenged traditional practices. He was arrested several times and suffered greatly, but he never gave up. His deep faith gave him the strength to continue his mission.

In 1687, John returned to Portugal to recover and seek more support for his work. Even though he was offered a comfortable position in Europe, he chose to return to India, knowing the dangers that awaited him. This decision showed his dedication and love for the people he served. John’s final mission brought him to the region of Ramnad in Tamil Nadu. There, his teachings led to the conversion of many, including a prince. This angered the local king, who ordered John to stop preaching. John refused to give up his faith, even when threatened with death.

On February 4, 1693, John de Britto was executed by beheading. He became a martyr, someone who gave his life for his faith. His courage and sacrifice inspired many, and his legacy lives on in the Christian communities, he helped establish. St. John de Britto’s life teaches us important lessons. He showed great respect for other cultures and shared his faith with humility and love. He faced persecution with courage and remained dedicated to his mission, even in the face of death. His story reminds us of the power of faith and the importance of sharing God’s love with others. Today, we can draw inspiration from St. John de Britto’s example as we strive to live lives of faith, compassion, and service.

Ashodi Ferro