Saint Peter of Alcántara - October 19

Peter was born at Alcántara, Province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. His father was the governor of Alcántara, and his mother was of the noble family of Sanabia. Peter joined the Franciscans at 16 and at the age of twenty-two was sent to found a new community of the Stricter Observance at Badajoz, and was ordained in 1524.   In 1538 he became minister provincial of the Franciscan province of St. Gabriel of Estremadura but resigned when his plans to enforce severe rules among the friars were opposed. He retired with John of Avila into the mountains of Arrábida in Portugal, where he joined Friar Martim de Santa Maria.

For devotional items related to the Catholic Faith please visit Lynn's Timeless Treasures