Saint Louis Bertrand (Spanish: Luis Beltrán, Catalan: Lluís Bertran) was a prominent Spanish Dominican friar, nicknamed the "Apostle of America", who became famous for his deep piety, fearless missionary work in South America, and protection of the indigenous population.
1. Childhood and entry into the religious order
● Birth: Born on January 1th, 1526, in Valencia, Spain. Through his father, he was a distant relative of St. Vincent de Ferrer, the famous Dominican preacher.
● Religious vocation: He desired consecrated life at a young age. Despite his father's initial opposition, he entered the Dominican monastery of Saint Dominic in Valencia on August 26th, 1544.
● He was ordained a priest in 1547 by the then Archbishop of Valencia and later saint, St. Thomas of Villanova.
2. Operation in Spain and the plague in Valencia
● Master of Novices: Because of his great inner maturity and moral strength, he was entrusted with the education of new members of the order – a position he held intermittently for a total of 30 years. He later became the patron of Dominican novitiates.
● Trial during the Plague: In 1557, a devastating plague epidemic struck Valencia. Louis tirelessly ministered to the sick, cared for the dying, and buried the dead himself.
● Preaching zeal: After the plague subsided, he began to preach publicly. Although he did not initially have ideal oratorical abilities, his words had enormous power. The churches could not accommodate the crowds of believers, so he often had to preach directly in public squares. During this period, he also provided spiritual advice and support to the then-beginning Saint Teresa of Avila in her reform of Carmel.
3. Missions in South America (1562 – 1569)
Louis had long harbored a desire to preach the gospel in the New World. In 1562, he obtained permission and traveled to South America (to the area of present-day Colombia):
● Cartagena and the surrounding area: He landed in Cartagena, Colombia, and immediately began missionary work. He worked in cities and settlements such as Tubará, Cipacoa, Paluata, and Santa Marta.
● Gift of Tongues and Miracles: Tradition and papal bulls state that although he preached in his native Spanish, the natives miraculously heard and understood him in their own languages.
● Defender of the Natives: With the support of Bishop Bartolome de las Casas, he fearlessly defended the rights of the indigenous population against cruelty and exploitation by the Spanish conquistadors (cattlemen).
● Divine protection: According to biographical legends, he survived several assassination attempts. Among other things, pagans gave him a poisoned drink, but thanks to God's providence he survived unharmed.

4. Return to Spain and death
● After seven years of demanding missions, he returned to Spain in 1569, where he wanted to more effectively defend the oppressed Indians at the royal court.
● He spent the rest of his life in his home province of Valencia, where he again served as a sought-after confessor and preacher.
● He died in Valencia on October 9th, 1581, at the age of 55, exactly on the date he himself had predicted.
5. Veneration and canonization
● He was declared a saint by Pope Clement X on April 12th, 1671.
● He is the patron saint of Colombia and Dominican novices.
● His liturgical memorial in the Catholic Church falls on October 9th.