Henriques (Father Leão)
Original title: Henriques (Padre Leão)
Biography of Father Leão Henriques (d. 1589), a Jesuit born in Ponta do Sol who became first rector of the University of Évora and confessor to Cardinal-King Henrique.
He was born in the parish (freguesia) of Ponta do Sol (‘point of the sun’) in the first quarter of the 16th century, the son of Dom João Henriques and Dona Filipa de Noronha. He was a close relative of Father Luís Gonçalves da Câmara (see that entry), the celebrated tutor of King Sebastian, and was descended from João Gonçalves Zarco, the illustrious discoverer of Madeira. He studied canon law in Paris and Coimbra, and was the first rector of the University of Évora. He joined the Society of Jesus while its founder was still alive, maintaining close ties of friendship with him and receiving from him directly marks of the highest regard and esteem. Within his order he held the most senior posts, such as rector of the colleges of Coimbra and Évora, provincial, delegate in Rome, etc. For many years he was confessor and counsellor to the Cardinal-King Henrique, with whom he enjoyed great prestige and influence. In his day he was widely renowned as a man of vast learning and extraordinary talent. His biographers dwell particularly on the most generous and ardent charity with which he was endowed, showing the poor and unfortunate the most exquisite displays of affection and tenderness of which the human heart is capable. He died in Lisbon on 8 April 1589.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 01Place
Places mentioned · 06
Abroad
- Coimbra
Portugal. Where he studied and was rector of the Jesuit college.
Portuguese mainland university city where many Madeirans studied law or medicine, and where Padre Luís Gonçalves da Câmara taught and was rector of the Jesuit college. It hosted the 1921 academic table-tennis championship, and its dormancy and rainfall data are compared with Funchal's.
- Évora
Portugal. Seat of the university of which he was first rector.
Évora is a city in mainland Portugal with an archiepiscopal cathedral and a university, connected with several Madeiran clergy. It was the birthplace of Bishop D. Estevão Brioso and of D. Martinho de Portugal. The 4th Count of Vimioso died in a convent there.
- Lisbon
Portugal. Where he died.
The Portuguese capital, seat of the Relação court and of the Misericórdia whose privileges and statutes were extended to Funchal. Henrique Franco de Sousa studied at its Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and Luiz José Baiardo moved there in 1821.
- Paris
France. Where he studied canon law.
The French capital, where Franco de Sousa settled and painted 'Ar livre', and where Juvenal Honório de Ornelas took his medical doctorate in 1834. Padre Luiz Gonçalves da Câmara studied there and met Loyola, and the Barão de Ornelas graduated, practised and died there.
- Ponta do Sol
Parish where Leão Henriques was born.
South-coast parish and municipality, settled from about 1440 by Rodrigo Enes 'o Coxo'. Its parish church of Nossa Senhora da Luz holds a triptych. The Elucidário also records its quay of 1848, paid for by the council, and the royal visit of 1858.
- Rome
Italy. Where he served as delegate of his order.
Rome, seat of the Holy See, appears in the Elucidário chiefly through Madeirans and others connected with it. Padre Manuel Constantino taught, published and died there, and Dr Patrício Moniz took a doctorate in theology and was ordained there. Padre Luiz Gonçalves da Câmara was superior of the Jesuit professed house there, and Simão Gonçalves da Câmara's gift was presented to the pope there; other entries record an embassy post, the Vatican Council and beatification processes.
People
People mentioned · 07- Leão Henriquesd. 1589
Madeiran-born Jesuit, first rector of the University of Évora and confessor to Cardinal-King Henrique.
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Mother of Padre Leão Henriques.
- Henry the Navigator1394–1460
Cardinal-King of Portugal, whose confessor and adviser Leão Henriques was.
- João Gonçalves Zarcod. 1467
Discoverer of Madeira, ancestor of Leão Henriques.
- João Maurício Henriques1852–1901
Father of Padre Leão Henriques.
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King of Portugal whose tutor was Leão Henriques's relative.
- Luís Gonçalves da Câmara1518–1575
Jesuit tutor of King Sebastião and close relative of Leão Henriques.