Publisher's Synopsis
We do not think it is necessary to represent here what was the life of Dom Bartholomew of the Martyrs. It is enough to say that since his happy death he has been honoured by many miracles; that his memory is held in veneration throughout Spain and Portugal) and in the French provinces adjoining. Therefore, several Bishops eminent for their learning and piety, and for the indefatigable vigilance with which they have devoted themselves to the salvation of the souls whom God has confided to them, and having an intimate knowledge of his actions and virtues, have earnestly desired that the life of so. holy a man should be written, and become as widely known in the Church of France as in his own country. They admired the rare qualities which were combined in his person; and the love they have for the Church made them ardently wish that a prelate who has so guided and enlightened his diocese during his life, should become by his example the model of bishops in that great kingdom. For although saints are born each in his or her particular country, and are attached to a special church or diocese, they are nevertheless destined by God for the good of the whole earth, and participate in this way in the glory of the Catholic Church which is their mother and so the odour of their virtues communicates itself to all the world, and is spread over all places, and to the end of time. If this blessed archbishop has not been, till now, well known in France, he has been renowned in other Christian kingdoms, and his life has been written by five different authors. The first was Father Louis of Grenada, of the same Order of St. Dominic, a man noted for his eminent virtue, and for his pious writings. He was Provincial when Dom Bartholomew was Prior of one of the houses of his Order and it was he who compelled him, in spite of his resistance, to accept the Archbishopric of Braga. As he was linked in the closest friendship with Dom Bartholomew, and that he knew him intimately, both from his own intercourse with him, and from those who afterwards lived with him, he began, even during the Archbishop's life-time, to write an abridged account of his virtues, and of the principal events of his life. He could not finish it, however; for he did not live as long as Dom Bartholomew, having died in 1588, at the age of 84, while the holy prelate did not close his mortal career till two years later, namely, in 1590. After the death of Grenada, F. Louis of Cacegas, also a Religious of St. Dominic, undertook to continue the biography of Dom Bartholomew. He searched carefully for every detail which should serve to illustrate his actions and virtues. But he, again, died before his labours were completed. The fathers of the Order, determining to finish wha.t these two eminent men had begun, chose for the purpose Father Louis of Souza. This father was held in great reputation for his eminent qualities, and God had called him to enter the Order of St. Dominic in so marvellous a manner, that we will give an account of it in a few words.
