Codice prodotto: L10339
Memorial Day: July 25
When did Saint Rudolf live: 1550 - 1583
BIOGRAPHY:
Rudolf Aquaviva was born into high Italian nobility, the son of the Duke of Atri and nephew of the Jesuit Superior General. He joined the Jesuit Order and, following his priestly ordination, was sent as a missionary to India due to his deep faith and scholarship. There he worked primarily in Goa and spent several years at the court of the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great, where he represented Christianity and sought to lead the ruler to the faith. His tireless missionary zeal and steadfastness in witnessing the Gospel made him a central figure of the early Jesuit missions in the East. His life ended violently in Cuncolim near Goa, when he and his companions were attacked by an angry mob during a missionary journey. Rudolf suffered martyrdom, being killed by arrows and lance thrusts.
PATRONAGE:
Saint Rudolf is the patron saint of missionaries and is invoked for the success of Christian missions.
SYMBOLISM, DEPICTION:
The symbols of Saint Rudolf in this depiction are an arrow in his chest, pointing directly to his martyrdom, and an open book in his hand, representing his theological scholarship and the proclamation of the Word of God. The staff with the decorated crook identifies him as a spiritual leader and missionary. The books under his foot symbolize the triumph of the Christian faith and divine wisdom over worldly or erroneous teachings. The cross around his neck underlines his following of Christ unto death.
PATRON SAINT OF:
Rudolf, Rudolph, Rolf, Rudi, Ruodi, Rodolfo, Rodolfo, Rodolphe, Roelof, Ruedi, Rudel, Rodolf, Ridolfo, Raul, Raúl, Raoul, Radolf, Rolph, Rollo, Dolfo.