A CONSTRUÇÃO HAGIOGRÁFICA DE S. FRANCISCO XAVIER E A IDEOLOGIA MISSIONÁRIA PORTUGUESA NA ÁSIA聖方濟各‧沙勿略聖徒傳之構建和葡萄牙傳教士在亞洲傳教之意識形態
The article analyzes the hagiographic construction of St. Francis Xavier as an ideological device in the configuration of the “spiritual conquest” of Asia, linking the narrative production about the saint to Portuguese missionary work at different moments. Through a critical reading of hagiographic...
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| Published in: | Review of Culture |
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| Format: | Articles |
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Instituto Cultural de Macau
July 2006
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| Online Access: | https://www.icm.gov.mo/rc/viewer/pdfViewerParts/40019/3752 |
| Summary: | The article analyzes the hagiographic construction of St. Francis Xavier as an ideological device in the configuration of the “spiritual conquest” of Asia, linking the narrative production about the saint to Portuguese missionary work at different moments. Through a critical reading of hagiographic sources and texts produced within the horizon of missionary policy, the author argues that the sanctification and stabilization of an exemplary model of holiness functioned as a cultural mediation between overseas expansion and the legitimation of the colonial project: conversion is treated not only as a doctrinal change but as a reorientation of identity and a reorganization of social practices, allowing an understanding of how faith was turned into a foundation of Portugueseness. Methodologically, the study articulates a theoretical framework on conversion and negotiation between sociological readings and theological-normative prescriptions, together with a historical analysis of the role played by authors and missionary programs in extending the political meaning of the evangelizing enterprise. It concludes that, especially in articulation subsequent to the Estado Novo, Xavier’s case was mobilized to sustain a harmonizing vision between Christianization and imperial expansion, reinforcing surveillance against Christian alternatives and promoting an apologetic and instrumental historical writing capable of conferring priority and specificity upon Portuguese colonialism in Asia, between cultural adaptation and indoctrination. |
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| ISSN: | 1682-1106 |