Beatriz claimed Anthony had told her through a vision to create a new Kongolese Catholicism, and she incorporated various native practices and traditions into her movement.

Dona Beatriz "was trained as an nganga marinda, an individual who consults the supernatural world to solve problems within the community",[4] and acted as a medium, speaking the pronouncements of St. Anthony.

[3] Dona Beatriz acknowledged papal authority, yet her cult was hostile to European missionaries, teaching that they were "corrupt and unsympathetic to the spiritual needs of Kongolese Catholics".

It served as a base for Antonian missionaries, who were sent by Dona Beatriz to convert followers to her movement, and "to urge rulers of the divided Kongo territories to unite under one king".

[6] Although the movement had a short life under the leadership of Dona Beatriz, artifacts have survived, including St. Anthony figurines made of "ivory, brass, and wood ... affixed to crosses, used as staff finials, and worn as pendants.... these images, called Toni Malau or "Anthony of good fortune" in KiKongo, served to guard their bearers against illness and other misfortunes".