Theotonius of Coimbra was born in 1082 to a devout and wealthy family in Portugal. His uncle was a bishop, and to prepare Theotonius for the priesthood, his uncle taught him the faith from an early age. He took his studies seriously, and after he was ordained a priest, he lived a very austere life. He reluctantly took prominent offices within the church and became a trusted advisor to the King of Portugal. He boldly preached against sinful behavior, had a regular Friday devotion to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, led a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, started a religious order, and built a monastery. In his old age, he retired to be a hermit and lived in solitude until his death at the age of 80.
CHALLENGE
St. Theotonius never permitted his monks to hurry through their daily readings, and once, when the Queen of Portugal requested that he hurry through Mass, he refused and told her she could leave if she wanted. Has your prayer life become so routine that you no longer pay attention to what you’re saying? Today, say the Our Father slowly, and meditate on the meaning of each word and phrase.
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