St. Louis Bertrand--1526-1581

Luis Bertrand was a Spaniard, born in Valencia. On his father's side he was related to the famous Dominican saint, Vincent Ferrer. Docile and devout, he early chose to enter the same religious order, and he was ordained a priest in 1547.

His missionary dream was fulfilled in 1562, when his superiors sent him across the Atlantic to Cartagena, in the present Colombia, South America. During the next seven years, this dedicated Dominican missionary had great success as a preacher among the Indians. Although he spoke only Spanish and normally had to use an interpreter, the bull of his canonization tells us that he also had, at least on occasion, the gift of tongues.

After laboring on the mainland, Father Louis sailed through the Caribbean Islands, approaching even the Carib Indians of the Lesser Antilles. The Caribs had a reputation for fierceness; indeed, one of their medicine men gave him a poisoned drink. Miraculously, it seems, he was not harmed by the poison. After converting literally thousands of aborigines around Cartagena and the Isthmus of Panama, he went on to Tubera on the coast.

Wherever he went, St. Luis was recognized by all as a most admirable man. While on the Latin American mission, he was appalled by the avarice and greed manifested by the Spanish conquistadors. Unfortunately he could find no way of combating it. The Republic of Colombia adopted him as its principal patron.. Feast Day: October 9.

Symbols: Shell with flowing water for Baptisms; Incense Censer for prayer; Book, Key?, Llama of South America..