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Blessed Gonzalo of Lagos
Illustration of Blessed Gonzalo of Lagos by János Hajnal in Il fascino di Dio: profili de agiografia agostiniana by Fernando Rojo Martínez, O.S.A. Copyright © 2000 Pubblicazioni Agostiniane Rome. Used with permission. Original art preserved in the Office of Augustinian Postulator of Causes, Rome.
October 14
Gonzalo (1360?-1422) was a distinguished theologian and noted preacher who preferred to instruct children and the uneducated.
Born around 1360 in Lagos, Algarve, Portugal, Gonzalo was the son of a fisherman. When he was about 20 years old, he entered the Augustinians. He became an eminent theologian, but would not use the title Master.
Gonzalo loved giving religious instruction to children and to those with little formal education. He was noted as an excellent preacher. He was also a gifted artist, and used this talent to illustrate liturgical books.
He was religious superior in several Augustinian monasteries, where he enjoyed serving his brothers even in the most menial ways. It is said that when he was Prior of the monastery in Torres Vedras, the community was so poor that it could not buy enough food for its members. The local Bishop would often provide food, which Gonzalo would carry home on his back. When the Bishop discovered this, he started to donate money instead of heavy groceries.
Gonzalo died October 15, 1422 at Torres Vedras, located in the Diocese of Faro. His remains are preserved at the Faro Cathedral, where he is revered as the patron of the youth of the Diocese, as well as of fishermen and sailors. Pope Pius VI declared him Blessed in 1778.