Abbey Press is delighted to announce the release of the second book in the Letters of Santos Salvado series.  This volume covers correspondence written from Spain and Italy in the years 1849-1868 before Santos travelled to New Norcia to be with his younger brother, Rosendo, co-founder of New Norcia.

Santos was born in Tuy, Galicia, on 5 July 1811 and entered the novitiate at St Martin of Compostela in 1825 where he was ordained ten years later.  Despite living a privileged life as chaplain to the court of Queen Isabella II, he yearned for a simple monastic life as a missionary.  He was a talented man, being an organist, chorister and watch repairer and he introduced photography to New Norcia; he also brought musical instruments to the monastery such as the harmonium, double bass and viola.

Translated by Abbot Placid Scholars, Judith McGuinness and Eugenia Schettino, the 275 letters in this 550 page volume shed a fascinating light on the brothers’ close relationship as well as providing a glimpse into the important issues of the day.