San Pietro d'Alcantara

• San Pietro d'Alcantara
• Louis Tristan author
• Year: late sixteenth century
• title: San Pietro d'Alcantara
• place: Prado Museum, Madrid
• Name: San Name: St.
• Title: Holy priest
• Birth: 1499 Alcantara Spain
• Death: October 18, 1562, Arenas de San Pedro, Spain.
• 18 October

Martyrology: 2004 edition

Type: Commemoration

San Pietro was born in Alcantara, an isolated Spanish town. Pietro was born in the year 1499. This saint had a varied and active life. His father was Alfonso Garavito and his mother Maria Villela, both noble and fussy. After completing his secondary and philosophical education in his hometown, he was sent to Salamanca to study canon law. He stayed there for two years. His singular piety and application were praised as models. The Lord led him to accept the religious order of St. Francis while he was still there. After completing the novitiate, he took the sacred habit in the convent of Maniarez and was ordained a priest. He was then sent to Bolvisa. Peter brought a great spirit and a great innocence with him to the cloister. This was his special character as a holy man. He was very active and had little to eat and sleep. He was twenty when he was appointed superior of the new house in Badacos. Three years later he was ordained a priest. He was the guardian of the monastery of Our Lady of the Angels and there his holiness shone more.

He returned to Sant'Onofrio a Lapa to write an operetta on how to pray. This work was highly regarded by all the spiritual leaders of the time. John III, king of Portugal, wanted to meet him and invited him to his house. This journey led to the conversion of some great lords and to the decision of Maria Incanta, the queen's sister, to leave the world and become a nun. He was then elected provincial of the convent of Albuqueque after having resolved some disputes between the citizens of Alcantara. His love for God was admirable, as was his zeal for souls. He founded the congregation of the Alcantarini in 1551. It was based on austerity and love for God. He was already old and had visited all the convents he had founded. However, he became seriously ill in Visiosa.

He was taken to the convent of Arenas, where he died at the age of 63. It was October 18, 1562. After her life, he had assisted Saint Teresa in her reform and, upon her death, he addressed these words to her: Happy penance, you have earned me such great glory.

A thought to San Pietro d'Alcantara

FAQ

• When is St. Peter of Alcantara commemorated?

  On October 18, San Pietro d'Alcantara is celebrated

• When was San Pietro d'Alcantara born?

  San Pietro d'Alcantara was baptized in 1499.

• San Pietro d'Alcantara was born where?

  San Pietro d'Alcantara was baptized in Alcantara (Spain).

• When did San Pietro d'Alcantara die?

  San Pietro d'Alcantara was killed on October 18, 1562.

• Where did San Pietro d'Alcantara die?

  Saint Peter of Alcantara died in Arenas de San Pedro, Spain.