JOSEPH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Discalced Carmelite theologian and writer (name in the world, Joseph Barroso); b. Braga, Portugal, Dec. 26, 1609; d. Madrid, Jan. 27, 1674. He is commonly known as the "Portuguese" to distinguish him from his homonym the "Andalusian." He was professed in the Discalced Carmelites in Lisbon (May 30, 1632) and after ordination was instrumental in the establishing of foundations at Braga (1635), Nahia (1653), and Cascaes. Because of his fame as a preacher the King of Portugal offered him a bishopric, which he refused out of humility; he was never consecrated bishop, as some authors have stated, but was a professor of theology for many years. He was transferred to the general's house of St. Hermenegild in Madrid where he died, esteemed for his holiness. Here his body was venerated until the exclaustration of religious orders in Spain (1835). He wrote two works of importance. One was the Cadena Mistica (Madrid 1678), the first attempt to codify the spirituality of the Teresian school. It remains useful even today, since the author had access to many writings and manuscripts no longer available. His other work, Enucleatio mysticae theologiae, was published posthumously (Cologne 1684).

Bibliography: "Vita et opera," in Enucleatio mysticae theologiae S. Dionysii Aropagitae, crit. ed. anastasio a s. paulo (Rome 1927); introduction is the best biography. j. heerinckx, "Doctrina mystica Iosephi a Sp. Sancto Lusitani, O. C. D.," Antonianum 3 (1928) 485–493. simeon s. familia, "Mystical Chain of Carmel," Spiritual Life 8 (1962) 99–106.

[o. rodriguez]