Antonio Gonzalez

Saint Antonio González, OP
Born c.1593[1]
León, Spain
Died 24 September 1637
Nagasaki, Japan
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Beatified 18 February 1981 by Pope John Paul II
Canonized 18 October 1987 by Pope John Paul II
Feast 24 September

Antonio González (died 1637) was a Spanish Roman Catholic martyr and saint.

Life

Born in León, Spain, he entered the Dominican Order at the age of 16. His favorite saint was Peter of Verona, the Dominican protomartyr. After completing his studies, he was ordained and sent to Piedrahita as a theology professor.[1]

When an invitation was sent to their convent asking for missionaries to the Far East, Fr. González was among those who volunteered. His target destination was Japan, but he went first to the Philippines to prepare. He arrived in Manila in May 1632, where he became professor and acting rector of the University of Santo Tomas.[1]

Death and veneration

In 1636, González was finally able to fulfill his dream of going to Japan. After a year of missionary activity, he was arrested, proudly wearing his habit to signify that he went to Japan for the sake of the Gospel. After suffering tremendous torture, he was found dead in his cell on the morning of 24 September 1637.

Antonio González was canonized by Pope John Paul II in October 1987 together with his companion martyrs, including Saint Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila. González is counted among the nine Thomasian Martyrs.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "San Antonio González", Orden de Predicadores

Sources

  • Lorenzo de Manila, The Proto-Martyr of The Philippines and his Companions - Fr. Fidel Villarroel, O.P., 1988
  • Alvares, Constantino; Jose Garcia; Pedro Tejero (1989). Witnesses of the faith in the Orient: Dominican Martyrs of Japan, China, and Vietnam. Manila: Life Today Publications. ISBN 971-8596-03-8. OCLC 32442371.
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