CatholicSaints.Info

Also known as

• Juan de Garavito y Vilela de Sanabria

Memorial

• 18 October

Profile

Son of Peter Garavita, governor of the palace; his mother was a member of the noble family of Sanabia. Peter 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 lived at the convent of Saint Onophrius, a remote location where he could study and pray between missions. Franciscan provincial for Saint Gabriel in Estremadura, Spain in 1538. Worked in Lisbon, Portugal in 1541 to help reform the Order. In 1555 he started the Alcantarine reforms, now known as the Strictest Observance. 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.

Born

• 1499 at Alcantara, Estremadura, Spain

Died

• 18 October 1562 at Estremadura, Spain of natural causes

Beatified

• 18 April 1622 by Pope Gregory XV

Canonized

• 28 April 1669 by Pope Clement IX

Patronage

• against fever
• –
• night watchmen
• watchmen
• –
• Brazil (named by Pope Blessed Pius IX in 1862)
• Alcántara, Spain
• Estremadura Spain (named in 1962)

Readings

He does much in the sight of God who does his best, be it ever so little. – Saint Peter of Alcantara

No tongue can express the greatness of the love which Jesus Christ bears to our souls. He did not wish that between Him and His servants there should be any other pledge than himself, to keep alive the remembrance of Him. – Saint Peter of Alcantara

MLA Citation

• “Saint Peter of Alcántara“. CatholicSaints.Info. 9 March 2024. Web. 19 April 2024. <>