October 19 - Saint Peter of Alcantara
Quick Facts- Son of Peter Garavita, governor of the palace; his mother was a member of the noble family of Sanabia.
- Studied grammar and philosophy at Alcantara and both civil and canon law at Salamanca University.
- Franciscan at age 16 at Manjarez.
- Founded the friary at Babajoz at age 20, and served as its superior.
- Ordained in 1524 at age 25.
- Noted preacher.
- A recluse by nature, he living at the convent of Saint Onophrius, a remote location where he could study and pray between missions.
- Franciscan provincial for Saint Gabriel in Estemadura in 1538.
- Worked in Lisbon in 1541 to help reform the Order.
- In 1555 he started the Alcantarine reforms, now known as the Strictest Obeservance.
- Commissioner of his Order in Spain in 1556.
- Provincial of his reformed Order in 1561.
- Friend and confessor of Saint Teresa of Avila, and assisted her in 1559 during her work to reform her own Order.
- Mystic and writer whose works were used by Saint Francis de Sales.
