Oct. 19 St. Peter of Alcantara

St. Peter of Alcantara (1499-1562)

October 19

This saint is part of the Catholic Counter-Reformation that arose in response to Protestantism. He is among a whole group of 16th-century Spanish saints that includes Paschal Baylon, John of the Cross, Ignatius of Loyola, John of Ávila, Francis Solano, and Salvator of Horta. Peter for many years was a friend of and provided spiritual direction to St. Theresa of Ávila and encouraged her in pursuing the Carmelite reform.

In a letter to Teresa of Ávila, he wrote: “I do not praise poverty for poverty’s sake; I praise only that poverty which we patiently endure for the love of our crucified Redeemer and I consider this far more desirable than the poverty we undertake for the sake of poverty itself; for if I thought or believed otherwise, I would not seem to be firmly grounded in faith.”

He died on the 18^th, the feast of St. Luke, and is typically honored on the 19^th. However, in the USA, he is eclipsed by the celebration of the “North American” martyrs: Saints John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, and Companions. As we find with numerous Franciscan saints, their presence on the calendar is reduced to “local” observance solely within the Orders. On a personal note, my home parish of St. John Fisher on the Palos Verdes Peninsula was originally named after him. Honoring the Spanish saint was an appropriate choice, since much of the area had been developed since the 1920s as Mediterranean, with a particularly Spanish influence (e.g., Malaga Cove). However, given that several prominent Protestant churches in the area were already named “Peter,” the parish was changed to honor the English saint. (A parish in neighboring San Pedro was later established under Peter’s patronage.)

Peter was born into nobility, and his father was the governor of Alcantara. After studying at Salamanca University, he joined the discalced or barefoot Friars Minor in 1515. He exhibited very strong spiritual leadership.  Even before his priestly ordination in 1524, he was named superior of his house. At the age of 39, he was elected provincial. Despite this, he was not above washing dishes and cutting wood for his fellow friars.

He excelled at preaching and led many “missions” or times of renewal to correct errors, call to repentance, and enrich the faith of the laity. In fact, the custom of erecting a special cross to commemorate a parish mission began with Peter. His preaching brought many people to religious life, especially to the Secular Franciscan Order, as well as to the friars and the Poor Clares.

He lived the idea that reform starts in one’s own heart. His goal was to follow Christ in ever greater purity of heart. Whatever obstructed that path could be eliminated with no real loss.  He was very penitential in his personal life. It is said that he slept only for an hour and a half each night. Because he was awake most of the time when his brother friars were sleeping, he is the patron saint of night watchmen. He fasted regularly. According to St. Teresa, he sometimes only ate once every three days. He was also known for his extreme patience.

In 1554 Peter decided to follow The Rule of Francis with more rigor and set up a group of friars that became known as Alcantarines. Some of the Spanish friars who came to North and South America were members of this group. At the end of the 19^th century, the Alcantarines were joined with other Observant friars to form the Order of Friars Minor in its current configuration.  Peter died at age 63 and was canonized in 1669.