Abbé
''Abbé'' (from Latin , in turn from Greek , , from Aramaic ''abba'', a title of honour, literally meaning "the father, my father", emphatic state of ''abh'', "father") is the French word for an abbot. It is also the title used for lower-ranki ...
Faria () (born José Custódio de Faria; 31 May 1756 – 20 September 1819) was a Portuguese
Catholic priest
The priesthood is the office of the ministers of religion, who have been commissioned ("ordained") with the holy orders of the Catholic Church. Technically, bishops are a priestly order as well; however, in common English usage ''priest'' refe ...
who was one of the pioneers of the
scientific study of
hypnotism, following on from the work of
Franz Mesmer. Unlike Mesmer, who claimed that hypnosis was mediated by "
animal magnetism
Animal magnetism, also known as mesmerism, is a theory invented by German doctor Franz Mesmer in the 18th century. It posits the existence of an invisible natural force (''Lebensmagnetismus'') possessed by all living things, including humans ...
", Faria understood that it worked purely by the power of
suggestion. In the early 19th century, Abbé Faria introduced
oriental hypnosis to
Paris
Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...
.
Faria was one of the first to depart from the theory of the "magnetic fluid", to place in relief the importance of suggestion, and to demonstrate the existence of "
autosuggestion"; he also established that what he termed ''nervous sleep'' belongs to the natural order. From his earliest
magnetizing séances, in 1814, he boldly developed his doctrine. Nothing comes from the magnetizer; everything comes from the subject and takes place in his
imagination
Imagination is the production of sensations, feelings and thoughts informing oneself. These experiences can be re-creations of past experiences, such as vivid memories with imagined changes, or completely invented and possibly fantastic scenes ...
generated from within the mind. Magnetism is only a form of
sleep
Sleep is a state of reduced mental and physical activity in which consciousness is altered and certain Sensory nervous system, sensory activity is inhibited. During sleep, there is a marked decrease in muscle activity and interactions with th ...
. Although of the moral order, the magnetic action is often aided by physical, or rather by physiological, means–fixedness of look and cerebral fatigue.
Faria changed the terminology of mesmerism. Previously, the focus was on the "concentration" of the subject. In Faria's terminology the operator became "the concentrator" and
somnambulism was viewed as a lucid sleep. The method of hypnosis used by Faria is command, following expectancy. The theory of Abbé Faria is now known as Fariism. Later,
Ambroise-Auguste Liébeault (1864–1904), the founder of the
Nancy School
The Nancy School was a French hypnosis-centered school of psychotherapy. The origins of the thoughts were brought about by Ambroise-Auguste Liébeault in 1866, in Nancy, France. Through his publications and therapy sessions he was able to gain t ...
, and
Émile Coué
Émile Coué de la Châtaigneraie (; 26 February 1857 – 2 July 1926) was a French psychologist, pharmacy, pharmacist, and hypnotist who introduced a popular method of psychotherapy and Self-help, self-improvement based on optimism, optimistic ...
(1857–1926), father of applied
conditioning, developed the theory of
suggestion and
autosuggestion and began using them as therapeutic tools.
Johannes Schultz developed these theories as
Autogenic training
Autogenic training is a relaxation technique first published by the German and Nazi psychiatrist Johannes Heinrich Schultz in 1932. The technique involves repetitions of a set of visualisations accompanied by vocal suggestions that induce a sta ...
.
Early life
José Custódio de Faria was born in
Candolim,
Bardes ''
concelho
Concelho () is the Portuguese-language term for municipality, referring to the territorial subdivision in local government. In comparison, the word ''municÃpio'' () refers to the organs of State. This differentiation is still in use in Portugal ...
'' in the erstwhile territory of
Portuguese Goa, on 31 May 1756. He was the son of Caetano Vitorino de Faria of
Colvale, and Rosa Maria de Sousa of
Candolim. He also had an adopted sister, Catarina who was an orphan. Caetano was in turn a descendant of Anantha
Shenoy, a
Goud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB), village clerk and
Patil of the same village who converted to Christianity in 1583. He was a
Goan Catholic of the ''
Bamonn'' caste,
[Robert Bradnock, Roma Bradnock, ''Footprint Goa Handbook: The Travel Guide'', Footprint Travel Guides, 2002, ]
Google Print, p. 57
"Abbé José Custodio Faria was born on May 30, 1756, in Candolim, just inland of Calangute. His family claimed descent from Brahmins in Colvale, but his parents separated after his birth, his mother becoming a nun and his father a priest." and was also of partial African descent.
Since his parents fought all the time, they decided to separate and obtained the Church's dispensation. Caetano Vitorino joined the
seminary
A seminary, school of theology, theological college, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called seminarians) in scripture and theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as cle ...
to study for the
priest
A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deity, deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in parti ...
hood (he had already taken lower orders before his marriage). Rosa Maria became a
nun
A nun is a woman who vows to dedicate her life to religious service and contemplation, typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the enclosure of a monastery or convent.''The Oxford English Dictionary'', vol. X, page 5 ...
, joining the St. Monica Convent in
Old Goa.
Move to Lisbon
Faria's father, Caetano, had great ambition for himself and his son. Hence, Faria reached
Lisbon
Lisbon ( ; ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 567,131, as of 2023, within its administrative limits and 3,028,000 within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, metropolis, as of 2025. Lisbon is mainlan ...
,
Kingdom of Portugal
The Kingdom of Portugal was a Portuguese monarchy, monarchy in the western Iberian Peninsula and the predecessor of the modern Portuguese Republic. Existing to various extents between 1139 and 1910, it was also known as the Kingdom of Portugal a ...
on, 23 December 1771 with his father at the age of 15. After a year they managed to convince the
King of Portugal
This is a list of Portuguese monarchs who ruled from the establishment of the Kingdom of Portugal, in 1139, to the deposition of the Portuguese monarchy and creation of the Portugal, Portuguese Republic with the 5 October 1910 revolution.
Thro ...
,
Joseph I, to send them to
Rome
Rome (Italian language, Italian and , ) is the capital city and most populated (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio Regions of Italy, region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special named with 2, ...
for Faria Sr. to earn a
doctorate
A doctorate (from Latin ''doctor'', meaning "teacher") or doctoral degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism '' licentia docendi'' ("licence to teach ...
in
theology
Theology is the study of religious belief from a Religion, religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an Discipline (academia), academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itse ...
, and the son to pursue his studies for the
priesthood.
Eventually, the son too earned his doctorate, dedicating his
doctoral thesis
A thesis (: theses), or dissertation (abbreviated diss.), is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings.International Standard ISO 7144: D ...
to the Portuguese Queen,
Mary I of Portugal
''Dom (title), Dona'' Maria I (Maria Francisca Isabel Josefa Antónia Gertrudes Rita Joana; 17 December 1734 – 20 March 1816) also known as Maria the Pious in Portugal and Maria the Mad in Brazil, was Queen of Portugal from 24 February 1777 ...
, and another study, on the
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit, otherwise known as the Holy Ghost, is a concept within the Abrahamic religions. In Judaism, the Holy Spirit is understood as the divine quality or force of God manifesting in the world, particularly in acts of prophecy, creati ...
to the
Pope
The pope is the bishop of Rome and the Head of the Church#Catholic Church, visible head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, or sovereign pontiff. From the 8th century until 1870, the po ...
. Apparently the pope was sufficiently impressed to invite José Custódio to preach a
sermon
A sermon is a religious discourse or oration by a preacher, usually a member of clergy. Sermons address a scriptural, theological, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law, or behavior within both past and present context ...
in the
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel ( ; ; ) is a chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the pope's official residence in Vatican City. Originally known as the ''Cappella Magna'' ('Great Chapel'), it takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who had it built between 1473 and ...
, which he himself attended.
On his return to Lisbon, the Queen was informed by the
Nuncio
An apostolic nuncio (; also known as a papal nuncio or simply as a nuncio) is an ecclesiastical diplomat, serving as an envoy or a permanent diplomatic representative of the Holy See to a state or to an international organization. A nuncio is ...
of the Pope's honour to Faria Jr. So, she too invited the young priest to preach to her as well, in her chapel. But Faria, climbing the pulpit, and seeing the august assembly felt tongue tied. At that moment his father, who sat below the pulpit, whispered to him in
Konkani __NOTOC__
Konkani may refer to:
Language
* Konkani language is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Konkan region of India.
* Konkani alphabets, different scripts used to write the language
**Konkani in the Roman script, one of the scripts used to ...
: ''Hi sogli baji; cator re baji'' (they are all
vegetables
Vegetables are edible parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. This original meaning is still commonly used, and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including flowers, fruits, ...
, cut the vegetables). Jolted, the son lost his fear and preached fluently.
Faria Jr., from then on, often wondered how a mere phrase from his father could alter his state of mind so radically as to wipe off his stage fright in a second. The question would have far reaching consequences in his life.
Participation in Pinto Revolt
Faria was implicated in the
Conspiracy of the Pintos during 1787, and left for France in 1788. He stayed in
Paris
Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...
residing at Rue de Ponceau.
Later years in France
In Paris, Faria became a leader of one of the
revolutionary battalions in 1795, taking command of one of the sections of the infamous ''10 of the
Vendémiaire'', which attacked the infamous
French Convention, taking an active part in its fall. As a result, he established links with individuals like
Chateaubriand, the
Marquis de Custine. He was also a friend of
Armand-Marie-Jacques de Chastenet, Marques of Puységur (a disciple of
Franz Anton Mesmer), to whom he dedicated his book ''Causas do Sono Lúcido'' ("On the Causes of Lucid Sleep").
In 1811, he was appointed
Professor
Professor (commonly abbreviated as Prof.) is an Academy, academic rank at university, universities and other tertiary education, post-secondary education and research institutions in most countries. Literally, ''professor'' derives from Latin ...
of
Philosophy
Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...
at the
University of France at
Nîmes
Nîmes ( , ; ; Latin: ''Nemausus'') is the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Gard Departments of France, department in the Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie Regions of France, region of Southern France. Located between the Med ...
, and was elected member of the ''Société Medicale de Marseille'' at Marseille.
In 1813, Faria realised that
animal magnetism
Animal magnetism, also known as mesmerism, is a theory invented by German doctor Franz Mesmer in the 18th century. It posits the existence of an invisible natural force (''Lebensmagnetismus'') possessed by all living things, including humans ...
was gaining importance in Paris and returned to Paris and started promoting a new doctrine. He provoked unending controversies with his work ''Da Causa do Sono Lúcido no Estudo da Natureza do Homem'' (On the cause of Lucid Sleep in the Study of the Nature of Man), published in Paris in 1819 and was soon accused of being a charlatan.
He retired as
chaplain to an obscure religious establishment, and died of a stroke in Paris on 30 September 1819. He left behind no addresses and his grave remains unmarked and unknown, somewhere in
Montmartre
Montmartre ( , , ) is a large hill in Paris's northern 18th arrondissement of Paris, 18th arrondissement. It is high and gives its name to the surrounding district, part of the Rive Droite, Right Bank. Montmartre is primarily known for its a ...
.
Legacy

There is a
bronze
Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of copper, commonly with about 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals (such as phosphorus) or metalloid ...
statue of Faria trying to hypnotise a woman in central
Panjim,
Goa, India (next to the former
Government Secretariat or
Idalcão palace). It was sculpted in 1945 by Ramchandra Pandurang Kamat or earlier by Constâncio Fernandes. Portugal commemorated the 250th anniversary of the Faria's in May 2006 by releasing a postcard (featuring his statue in Panjim, India. A street in the
Areeiro zone of Lisbon is also named in his honour.
An authentic caricature of him is preserved in the National Library of Paris.
A prominent thoroughfare in the city of
Margao
Margao (, ) is the commercial capital of the Indian state of Goa. It stands on the banks of the river Sal. It is the district headquarters of South Goa, and administrative headquarters of Salcete sub-district. It is Goa's second largest ci ...
in Goa, India is named ''Rua Abade Faria'' (Abbé Faria Street) in his honour. On this street, there was an educational institution called ''Instituto Abade Faria'' which imparted Portuguese language secondary school education known as "Lyceum studies", consisting of First Year to Fifth Year classes. It ceased to function after the
liberation of Goa.
French novelist
Alexandre Dumas
Alexandre Dumas (born Alexandre Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie, 24 July 1802 – 5 December 1870), also known as Alexandre Dumas , was a French novelist and playwright.
His works have been translated into many languages and he is one of the mos ...
' 1844 novel ''
The Count of Monte Cristo'' features a prominent character named Abbé Faria, who was imprisoned in the Château d'If in solitary confinement, and he learned a certain self-control while imprisoned. Otherwise, the character does not have a strong resemblance to his historical analogue.
''Abbé Faria'', a play by Indian writer
Asif Currimbhoy, dramatizes Faria's life and views as a revolutionary priest and premier hypnotist. It was published by Writers Workshop.
Jaime Valfredo Rangel presented a paper in tribute of his 200th birth anniversary to the
Governor of Portuguese India,
Paulo Bernard Guedes.
The Institute of Clinical Hypnosis and Counselling was established in the Indian state of
Kerala
Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
as a memorial to Faria.
''Kator Re Bhaji'', is a play was written and directed by
Isabel de Santa Rita Vas and performed by the Mustard Seed Art Company, an
Indian theatre troupe from Goa, which celebrated the 250th anniversary of Faria's birth.
[
] Laurent Carrer included the first English translation of Faria's single tome, originally written in French as ''De la cause du sommeil lucide ou Etude de la nature de l’homme'' (''On the Cause of Lucid Sleep or Study On The Nature of Man'') in his 2004 ''José Custódio de Faria: Hypnotist, Priest and Revolutionary''.
Further reading
#
Moniz, A. Egas, ''O Padre Faria na história do hipnotismo'' (Abbé Faria in the history of hypnotism),
Lisbon
Lisbon ( ; ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 567,131, as of 2023, within its administrative limits and 3,028,000 within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, metropolis, as of 2025. Lisbon is mainlan ...
: Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, 1925.
# Dalgado, D.G., ''Memoire sur la vie de l'Abbé Faria'', Paris, 1906.
# Charles. J. Borges, ''Goa and the revolt of 1787''.
Digitised copy of Abbé Faria's original manuscript "De la cause du sommeil lucide" (original version in French) – Preface by D.G. Dalgado – Paris 1906 – courtesy of Dr. Paret. A copiously annotated English translation of this work, including Dalgado's preface, can be found in Laurent Carrer's
On the Cause of Lucid Sleep" now available as a Kindle eBook on Amazon.
References
External links
honouring the Abbé's 250th Anniversary.
Tribute website
Short documentary
Marvels Beyond Science
{{DEFAULTSORT:Faria, Abbe
1756 births
1819 deaths
18th-century French Roman Catholic priests
18th-century Portuguese Roman Catholic priests
19th-century French Roman Catholic priests
Alexandre Dumas characters
Catholic Church in popular culture
French hypnotists
Goan Catholics
Konkani people
People from North Goa district
People of the French Revolution
Portuguese people of Goan descent
Scholars from Goa
Scientists from Goa
Catholic clergy scientists