Saint Bartholomew of the Martyrs

I was born as Bartolomeu Fernandes on the 3rd of May, 1514, near Lisbon to Domingos Fernandes and Maria Correia. I was immediately baptised in the local Church of Noss Senhora dos Mártires. I entered the Order of Preachers on 11th of November, 1527, and I made my solemn profession on the 20th of November, 1529. After my studies I begun to teach philosophy and later theology. As I was teaching theology at the Batalha Convent I was asked to undertake the religious education of the son of the Duke of Beja, Luis of Portugal. In 1558 I was assigned to go to the archepiscopal see of Braga. Queen Catherine had chosen me to become a bishop. I refused, but my superiors told me to obey. In 1559 I was ordained at the Convent of Saint Dominic. I participated at the Council of Trent. I made a total of 268 suggestions. I was esteemed an important contributor and the other bishops held me in high regard. I returned to Braga in February 1564 and started an important reform in my diocese. I died on 16 July 1590.