Theotonius
| Saint Theotonius | |
|---|---|
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| Born | c.1082 Ganfei, Valença, Portugal |
| Died | 18 February 1162 Coimbra, Portugal |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Canonized | Cultus confirmed by Pope Benedict XIV |
| Feast | 18 February |
| Patronage | Valença, Portugal |
Theotonius (1082 - 1162) was an Augustinian canon and royal advisor. He is noted in Portugal, for being the first prior of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Coimbra, Portugal. He is celebrated as the reformer of religious life in Portugal, and is the first Portuguese saint.
Theotonius was born in the village of Ganfei, in northern Portugal around 1082. His parents, Oveco (James) and Eugenia were both wealthy and pious. He was called "Theotonius", a Greek name meaning 'godly'. His uncle Dom Crescónio, abbot of the Benedictine monastery near Tuy, was his first teacher. When Dom Crescónio became bishop of Coimbra in 1092, he brought the ten-year-old Theotonius with him and entrusted his further education to the care of a young seminarian, Tello.
After the death of Bishop Crescónio in 1098, Theotonius went to Viseu, where his uncle named Teodorico was prior of the Cathedral Chapter of Sancta Maria. During his time of preparation for the priesthood, Theotonius progressed through the minor ecclesiastic orders with great diligence and piety. The first of these was that of porter, with the responsibility to open the church and sacristy and ring the bell. After serving a period of time as a lector, he became an exorcist. One of the chief duties of exorcists was to take part in the baptismal exorcism of catechumens. Completing his term as an Acolyte, Theotonius was ordained a subdeacon. Holy Orders were conferred upon him sometime before the year 1109, by the bishop of Coimbra. The young priest was appointed a canon of the Cathedral Chapter of Viseu, which was a college of clerics who served as advisors to the bishop.
After being ordained a priest, he remained at Viseu, where his service was so well-received that he soon was given the charge of the entire township as archpriest. He resigned so he could make a journey to the Holy Land, and upon his return, resumed ministering in Viseu. He was both an excellent speaker and an advocate for the poor. Deeply devoted to the holy souls in Purgatory, he would say Mass for them every Friday followed by a procession to the cemetery. Alms were collected as part of this weekly work of mercy and distributed to the poor. Theotonius was asked a many times by Count Henry and Queen Teresa, to assume the office of bishop.
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