Franciscan Saint | St. Peter of Alcantara
Born in 1499 in Alcántara, Spain, Peter felt called to religious life from a young age. His father was the governor and his mother came from a noble family. After studying at the University of Salamanca, he joined the Order of Friars Minor at age 16.
Peter sought a life of poverty and solitude, establishing the small monastery of El Palancar, where he lived with a few companions under a very austere rule. He ate simple food, wore humble clothing, and reportedly slept only 90 minutes each night. While others talked about Church reform, Peter’s reform began with himself.
He became the spiritual adviser to St. Teresa of Ávila, supporting her efforts to reform the Carmelite Order.
Peter continued preaching, guiding souls, and promoting Franciscan reform until his death in 1562. He is the patron saint of the Nocturnal Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
“Keep guard too, over the heart,
banishing every kind of vain and idle thought,
all alien emotions of love,
all passionate and tempestuous movements.
Clearly enough, these all impede devotion.
Like the violin, if we would play on it,
so also the heart,
if we would pray and meditate,
must be kept well tuned!”
- St Peter of Alcantara
Reflection: What area of my life needs to grow spiritually?
