Bl. Joanna

Joanna was born in Lisbon in 1452, the daughter of King Alfonso V of Portugal. As heir to the throne while she had no brother, she was expected to marry a prince. She refused, saying she had decided as a child to give her life to God.

While her father was abroad she governed Portugal as regent. After long resistance from her family she entered the Dominican convent of Jesus at Aveiro, which kept a strict rule. Politics more than once drew her back to court, but she was finally allowed to stay. She died there in 1490.

The Church has declared Joanna Blessed.

Beatification allows public veneration, usually in a particular region or religious family. Canonization extends it to the whole Church.