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Also known as: Theotonius
of Coimbra
Memorial: 18 February
Profile
Nephew of the bishop of Coimbra, Portugal. Educated at the University of
Coimbra. Parish priest, assigned to Viseu. His powerful and outspoken
preaching against vice gained him a great reputation, the animosity of the
ruling class, and the affection of the king and queen. Counselor to the
throne. Rebuked the queen for adultery, and refused a bishopric from her,
seeing it as an attempt to buy his affection. He was once asked by the
queen to shorted a Mass so she could attend to other business; he send
back word that he answered to true sovereigns, and the queen was free to
stay or go as she liked.
Theotinus had a great devotion to the poor, and to souls in purgatory.
Each Friday he combined these devotions by singing a Solemn Mass for the
dead, leading a large procession to the cemetery to pray for the local
dead, collecting alms there, and distributing the money to the local poor.
Twice a pilgrim to the Holy Lands. Augustinian Canon Regular, which order
he helped bring to Portugal in 1131, entering the monastery at Coimbra.
Spent his last 30 years there as monk and prior. Devoted to the daily
offices, never allowing the monks to hurry through them. King Alphonsus
attributed his victories to the prayers of Theotonius and his brothers,
and in gratitude, freed all his Mozarabic Christian captives. First
Portuguese saints canonized by the modern method.
Born: 1086 at Gonfeo, Spain
Died: 1166 of natural causes
Canonized: 1167 by the Portuguese bishops; cultus confirmed by Pope
Benedict XIV
Readings
His soul will be in Heaven before his body is lowered to the grave.
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