At age 16, GalvÃŖo gave up a promising future and his family’s social influence, becoming a novice at the St. Bonaventure Friary in Vila de Macacu, Rio de Janeiro.[2][7][8] There, he adopted the religious name of Anthony of Saint Ann, in honor of his family’s devotion to Saint Ann. During his novitiate year, he was known for his piety, zeal and exemplary virtues.[2] GalvÃŖo made his profession of solemn vows on 16 April 1761, taking the additional vow to defend the Blessed Virgin Mary’s title of the “Immaculate Conception”, which was still a controversial teaching at that time.[2]
On 11 July 1762, GalvÃŖo was ordained a priest and transferred to St. Francis Friary in the city of SÃŖo Paulo, where he continued his studies in theology and philosophy.[2] In early 1766, around the completion of his studies, GalvÃŖo made a spiritual submission of himself as a “servant and slave” of the Blessed Mother, signing a document to this effect, dated 9 March, which he signed in his own blood.[9] In 1768 he was appointed preacher, confessor and porter of the friary, an important post.[2][7]
From 1769 to 1770 GalvÃŖo served as confessor to the Recollection of St. Teresa (Portuguese: Recolhimento de Santa Teresa) in the city of SÃŖo Paulo, which was a hermitage of women Recollects (recluses living in common but not under religious vows), dedicated to Teresa of Ãvila.[2][7] There, he met the nun Helena Maria of the Holy Spirit, a recluse who claimed to have had visions in which Jesus was asking her to found a new Recollect house.[2][7] GalvÃŖo, her confessor, studied these messages and consulted with others who recognized them as valid and supernatural.[2]
GalvÃŖo collaborated in the foundation of the new Recollect house, named Our Lady of the Conception of Divine Providence, which was established on 2 February 1774[2][7] in the same city. It was modeled after the Conceptionist nuns,[2] and became the home for girls who wished to live a religious life but without taking vows.[3][7] With Helena’s sudden death on 23 February 1775, GalvÃŖo became the new superior of the community,[2] serving as the Recollects’ new spiritual leader.[7]
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