GONZÁLEZ, FRANCISCO JAVIER. - Ascetical theologian, b. at Siviglia on 3 Dec. 1712, d. there on 29 Feb. 1784. At the age of sixteen he entered the Order of Minims in his native city; having become a priest and professor, he won the competition for the teaching of Sacred Scripture at the royal and pontifical University of Siviglia, where he held the chair from 10 June 1759 until his death. He was also professor of theology and canon law, consulting member of the royal Academy of Medicine, and synodal examiner.
He possessed supernatural gifts: he gave spiritual direction to many pious persons, among them the Capuchin Bl. Diego da Cadice, who, later composing the eulogy of his deceased director, stated among other things that G. was the “holiest and wisest man of the century.” He wrote works of moral, dogmatic, and mystical theology, which, however, remained unpublished. Only recently did the Capuchin A. Valencina publish the correspondence between the two servants of God under the title El director perfecto y el dirigido santo, Siviglia 1924.