Newsroom (10/29/2025 20:09, Gaudium Press) Son of Emperor Charles V and Isabella of Portugal, Philip II was born in 1527 in the city of Valladolid, in northwestern Spain. At the age of fifteen, he participated victoriously in the battle against the French who had invaded the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Shortly thereafter, he married Infanta Maria Manuela of Portugal. The following year, he became viceroy of Spain, advised by a council presided over by the valiant Duke of Alba.
After becoming a widower, Philip II married Queen Mary Tudor of England in 1554. When, in 1566, Charles V abdicated in favor of his son Philip, in a ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Brussels, he said to him, “My son, preserve the Catholic faith in all its purity!” And he replied, “My father, I will do so!”[1]
In addition to being monarch of England, Philip II became King of Spain and its colonies, of Naples and Sicily, Duke of Milan, and sovereign of the Netherlands. He had colonies in Asia and Africa; in 1580, he also became King of Portugal.
With this great power, he sought to glorify Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. “Deeply pious, Philip II was convinced that God had placed him on the throne to hasten the triumph of the Catholic Church.”[2]
Battle of Saint-Quentin – Escorial
Due to the support that King Henry II of France gave to French Protestants who joined forces with English heretics – led by Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn – with the aim of taking over the government of England, Philip II invaded France on August 10, 1557, and achieved a brilliant victory in Saint-Quentin, in the north of the country.
After the battle, in which 6,000 French and 80 Spaniards died, he led a procession to the nearest church and, prostrating himself before the Blessed Sacrament, thanked God and promised to build a monastery in honor of St. Lawrence, whose memory is celebrated on August 10.
In fulfillment of this promise, Philip II had the Escorial Palace built, located 45 km from Madrid. Its floor plan is in the shape of a gridiron—the instrument of St. Lawrence’s martyrdom. Imposing and grandiose, its interior is filled with beautiful works of art.
At the door of his small bedroom, there was an opening through which the King could see the high altar of the royal chapel and worship the Blessed Sacrament.
In 1558, Mary Tudor died. Shortly thereafter, he married Elisabeth of France, daughter of King Henry II of France and Catherine de Medici.
Revolution in the Netherlands
Philip II appointed his sister Margaret of Parma, whose spiritual director was Saint Ignatius of Loyola, as governor of the Netherlands. Ninety percent of the population was Catholic and lived in abundance.
At that time, the Netherlands comprised what is now Holland and Belgium, as well as parts of northern France. It was called “Lowlands” because part of its territory lies below sea level.
Certain Protestant groups began to destroy churches and monasteries. William of Nassau, Prince of Orange and one of the Netherlands’ richest men, was the leader of these revolutionaries.
In several locations, they invaded monasteries, cut off the noses and ears of the clergy, who they tied to the tails of horses that were whipped and run through the streets; finally, those who had not died were hanged.
Duke of Alba, protector of Catholicism
When William of Orange asked for help from Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was Protestant and had many Catholics killed, as well as from King Charles IX of France, Philip II sent the Duke of Alba to the Netherlands, commanding 20,000 men.
In 1566, St. Pius V awarded him the Golden Rose, stating that he was a champion of Catholicism, and encouraged him to continue the fight against heretics.
As they approached Brussels in 1567, thousands of Protestants fled, but William continued to promote riots against the Spanish Catholics in other parts of the country.
Ten years later, the King of Spain entrusted Don John of Austria—the victor of the Battle of Lepanto—with subduing the rebellious heretics. However, he died in 1578, at the age of 33. [4]
The Invincible Armada
Philip II, filled with love for the Church and hatred for evil, could not accept that England remained Protestant.
In 1586, he sent a fleet to that country to help King James VI of Scotland free his mother, Mary Stuart, who had been imprisoned by order of the impious Elizabeth I.
Mary Stuart was sentenced to death and was not allowed to receive assistance from any Catholic priest to administer the Sacraments of Confession and Anointing of the Sick. She was beheaded in February 1587.
To avenge this heinous crime, Philip II promoted the Invincible Armada, which, unfortunately, was decimated by storms in 1588.
He offered his sufferings as atonement for his sins.
Afflicted by gout and other illnesses, the King’s health was failing. To better care for his soul, as he felt death approaching, Philip II left the Royal Palace in Madrid and moved to El Escorial, where he arrived on July 6, 1598.
His sufferings were great. He had a tumor on one knee that caused him terrible pain. His whole body was covered with wounds that became infected and produced a foul odor. Severe pain in his head and eyes prevented him from sleeping. He lost so much weight that he looked like a skeleton. However, his belly was swollen due to dropsy. He felt a burning thirst.
No complaint ever left his lips. Looking at the crucifix, he would say: “Lord, I offer you my sufferings as atonement for my sins.” [5]
He summoned the Crown Prince—the future Philip III—and recommended that he rule his vassals with deep affection, administer justice impartially, and help and defend the Catholic Church with all his strength.
On the afternoon of September 1, he confessed and received communion; all the Grandees of Spain were present. On September 12, he read the Passion of Christ according to the Gospel of St. John.
He held a lighted candle in one hand and a crucifix in the other. Philip II smiled discreetly. The Mass of the Vigil of the Holy Cross began in the royal chapel. With his eyes fixed on the crucifix, he gave his soul to God. It was September 13, 1598.
By Paulo Francisco Martos
Notions of Church History
[1] DANIEL-ROPS, Henri. The Church of the Renaissance and the Reformation (II). São Paulo: Quadrante. 1999, v. V, pp. 169-170.
[2] ALBA, André. Jules Isaac History Course. Modern Times. São Paulo: Mestre Jou, 1968, p. 55.
[3] DANIEL-ROPS, Henri. Op. cit., p.119.
[4] Cf. WALSH, William Thomas. Felipe II. Madrid: Espasa-Calpe. 1976, 7th ed., p. 636.
[5] WALSH, op. cit., p. 790.
[6] Cf. CORRÊA DE OLIVEIRA, Plinio. In Catolicismo. Campos dos Goitacazes. June 1956
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