The dilema between pride, asceticism and holiness in “Santo Onofre” by Eça de Queirós

Abstract

During the 1890’s decade Eça de Queiros (1845-1900) dedicated himself to writing about the life of three saints: São Frei Gil, São Cristóvão and Santo Onofre. Posthumously gathered in 1912 by Luís de Magalhães, in the volume Últimas páginas, these narratives became known as Vidas de Santos or Lendas de Santos. In this work I will try to analyse one of these texts, the story of “Santo Onofre”. The main feature of Onofre is the suffering of incessantly desiring to overcome his immense pride. The text outcome seems to suggest two basic messages regarding the concept of holiness Eça de Queirós argues, even in the other two lives of saints he produced. The first is that the uncontrolled self-love and pride are significant obstacles for an ideal religious life. The second message, which deviates considerably from several traditional hagiographies spread by the Catholic Church, is related to the criticism to a holiness model based on a ascetic and contemplative life whose principles do not take into consideration the work and practical action in favor of the excluded, the outcast and sufferers.