Saint Peter of Alcantara

“Truly, matters in the world are in a bad state; but if you and I begin in earnest to reform ourselves, a really good beginning will have been made.”

Peter González Telmo was born on June 28, 1499, in Alcántara, Spain. His father, Peter, was the governor, and his mother was from a noble family.

He was educated by private tutors but felt a calling to religious life while at the University of Salamanca. Instead of pursuing a degree in law, he decided to enter the Franciscan order at the age of 16, giving up a comfortable life.

At 22, he was sent to found a community of the Stricter Observance at Badajoz and was named Superior even before becoming a priest. He was ordained and a year later was made Guardian of the friary of Saint Mary of the Angels at Robredillo. He was a very successful preacher, but was not above performing lowly tasks. He did not seek attention and preferred solitude.

His sermons were given to the poor, of whom he preferred, and often concentrated on the topic of compassion.

He was elected Provincial of the Franciscan Province of Saint Gabriel at the age of 39 but resigned when his plans to enforce severe rules were opposed. He made a pilgrimage to Rome, barefoot, and received permission from the pope to form a group of Franciscans who followed the Rule with even greater rigor. They were know as the Alcantarines, and spread rapidly throughout Spain and Portugal.

Saint Theresa of Avila sought him out as her spiritual director and he aided her in reforming the Order of Carmel. It was his letter that encouraged her to found her first monastery. Her autobiography is the source of much of the information on Peter’s life, gift of miracles, and prophecy.

She noted that for over 20 years, he wore a sharp point studded iron belt and he typically consumed food only once in 3 days, sometimes fasting for a week. He was known for his gentleness and humility, and was deeply compassionate towards those in need, often using his own meager means to assist others.

He was key in the reform of the Franciscan order, helping to renew it’s commitment to its founding principles. He brought back strict adherence to the life of poverty and contemplation which had been present at it’s origination.

On his deathbed, he was offered a glass of water which he refused, saying that “even my Lord Jesus Christ thirsted on the Cross”. When he was close to death, he took to his knees, and died while in prayer on October 18, 1562 in a monastery at Arenas, Old Castile, Spain.

Some of the Spanish friars who came to North and South America in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries were members of this Order. At the end of the 19th century, they were joined with other Observant friars to form the Order of Friars Minor.

He is the patron saint of Eucharistic Adoration, Extremadura, Pakil, Brazil, and Shrewsbury Cathedral.

His feast day is October 18.

For God’s Glory.