My fleeting body elevates my eternal soul,
Just as was once your choice.
The love for Jesus bathes me in Sacred Fire,
I thirst for his sacraments,
Passionately burning to spread his glory.
"Through your powerful intercession,
Help me fulfill my duty to the Lord,
To save myself and the entire world!
The infinite faith in Virgin Mary,
Protects the purity of my soul,
Blesses every day of my life,
Keeping me from mortal sins,
And granting me the grace of a blessed death.
"Lord, the peaceful explorer and great devotee,
Who glorified Portugal’s Saint Afonso,
He who snatched lands from the heathens,
We are creating God’s glory,
And thus called the children of God.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God forever and ever,
"Heavenly Father, we thank You for the beautiful gift,
For setting the example of Portugal’s Saint Afonso.
Through hardships and trials,
We shall always be loyal to You.
We present to You this new land and its lambs!
Through the powerful intercession of Saint Afonso,
We beseech You to bestow protection and glory,
We beseech You to grant wealth and strength,
Enable us to find the way to the East,
To find the mighty Kingdom of John,
The Children of God shall unite,
And let God’s glory shine upon the world!
For ’Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall
Be called the children of God.’
We ask all this through Jesus Christ,
Awaiting the final peace.
"Pray for us, blessed Saint Afonso.
So that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.
Saint Afonso of Portugal,
Pray for the strength of our nation.
Saint Afonso, please pray for us!
Saint Afonso, please pray for us!
Saint Afonso, please pray for us!
Though Afonso V was not canonized, that did not prevent the King’s citizens from praying for him in the manner of a saint. In the devout Middle Ages, every follower of the Lord had a natural duty to spread the faith, to become flames, bringing light to mankind and burning away all impurity. What constituted impurity? The meaning was self-evident in these ruthless times.
Over a hundred nobility, sailors, soldiers, and missionaries shared a night full of tranquility and joy. They dedicated the lands of the Congo River to the Lord, finding fulfillment and comfort in their hearts on this land far from home. They likewise presented their requests to the Lord, firmly believing in His protection.
It was as if they had returned to the peaceful homeland. Of course, back home there wouldn’t be so many mosquitoes buzzing tirelessly day and night, all year round.
Early the next morning, Captain Diogo Cao prepared to set out, continuing his voyage southward to explore the seas. Diogo Cao took only six ships, leaving one at the Rivermouth with an important mission.
"Bruno Cao! I leave you twenty men and one ship. You are to make contact with the native kingdoms upstream! As a son of nobility, you may temporarily represent the Kingdom. Remember, maintain good relations with powerful tribes, try to obtain maps and information, inquire about the Kingdom of John! Once the task is complete, wait for me at the Rivermouth. May the Lord protect us!"
Captain Diogo Cao commanded solemnly, ordering his sailors to undertake the exploration of the land with their lives.
"I obey your command, honorable captain. May the Lord protect us!"
Bruno was so stirred he nearly wept, for it was a hero’s mission. He would represent the grand civilization of the Kingdom of Portugal, making first contact with the primitive and barbaric natives of Congo!
Diogo Cao nodded, and with a hundred and thirty men, he set off. The six caravels sailed nimbly away from the Rivermouth, heading into the unknown south. There, the south Angolan coast awaited them with new lands to discover.
Bruno, along with Paulo and the sailors, steered the exploratory ship. Amidst the swarms of mosquitoes, they ventured back upstream on the Congo River.