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The bronze overlife-size statue of patron of the city Lagos, blessed Gonzalo of Lagos, is located at the very southern end of Avenida dos Descobrimentos(Avenue of Discoveries), on pier just at the entrance into city harbour. It was designed by Tolentino Abegoaria. The granite pedestal of triangular-lika shape is located in the centre of circular water reservoir. On the pedestal there is blesse Sao Gonzalo, looking at the sea and lifting up the cross in his right hand. He wears a typica Augustinian's frock.
Blessed Gonzalo of Lagos (1360-1422)
Gonzalo was born about the year 1360, in Lagos (Algarve), in the south of Portugal, the son of a fisherman. He joined the Augustinians in Lisbon around 1380 and became a distinguished theologian and preacher. His special interest, however, was to instruct children, laborers, and the uneducated, with whom he always maintained a close rapport. He was also a gifted artist, and used this talent to illustrate liturgical books for the monasteries of Lisbon and Santarem. Gonzalo was appointed religious superior in several Augustinian communities, some of them extremely poor, where he enjoyed serving his brothers even in the humblest tasks. In 1412 he was named Prior of the friary of Torres Vedras, not far from Lisbon, where he remained for the remainder of his life. There he continued his tireless activity in service to the poor who held him in great reverence. Gonzalo died in Torres Vedras on October 15, 1422 and his remains were interred in the Church of Our Lady of Grace, once in the care of the Augustinians. Gonzalo is revered as the patron of the youth of the Diocese, as well as of fishermen and sailors. Pius VI declared him Blessed on May 23, 1778.
Blessed Gonzalo, born to working class parents who earned their livelihood through daily manual labor, never lost touch with his roots. Though he became a learned theologian and notable preacher, he remained always close to the people who shared his background and devoted himself to their service, putting the gifts God had given him to use for their benefit. A man of authentic humility, filled with the simple spirit of generosity, the affection of the people for Gonzalo was the ultimate proof of his own devotion to them.
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Estátua a São Gonçalo de Lagos
Localizada no cimo da Avenida dos Descobrimentos, perto do local panorâmico conhecido por Chão Queimado, encontra-se o monumento a São Gonçalo, padroeiro da cidade, da autoria do artista lacobrigense Tolentino Abegoaria.
Beato Gonzalo de Lagos, presbítero
Es uno de los pocos representantes portugueses en el santoral agustiniano. Nació –en torno al año 1360– en Lagos (Algarve), al sur de Portugal, uno de los lugares más soleados de Europa. Hijo de pescadores que faenaban en las aguas del Atlántico, Dios le llamó a ser pescador de hombres y en 1380 vistió el hábito agustiniano en Lisboa.
Ordenado sacerdote, su trabajo apostólico tuvo como destinatarios a los obreros, las gentes sencillas y los niños. Puso su formación teológica al servicio de la catequesis a los niños y no dudaba en ocuparse en distintas tareas manuales. Hombre con un gran sentido ascético de la vida, compositor de cánticos sagrados, excelente calígrafo, miniaturista, escribió varios libros corales. Fue prior de los más importantes conventos de la Provincia Portuguesa, como el de Lisboa y el de Santarem. En 1412, fue elegido prior del convento de Torres Vedras –no muy lejos de Lisboa–, donde permaneció hasta el final de su vida.Allí continuó su incansable actividad en el campo religioso, social y pedagógico, aliviando el sufrimiento de los pobres, que sentían por él afecto filial.
Murió el 15 de octubre de 1422 en Torres Vedras y fue sepultado en la iglesia conventual Virgen de Gracia de Torres Vedras.Todavía hoy se le invoca en Portugal como protector de la gente del mar y de la juventud. Pío VI confirmó su culto el 23 de mayo de 1778.