Saint of the Day: St. Turibius of Mogrovejo

Bishop (1538-1606)

His life

+ Turibio Alfonso de Mogrovejo was born in Spain in 1538 and after studying  civil and canon law before being ordained priest and bishop; he was appointed archbishop of Lima, Peru, in 1580.

+ Turibius spent twenty-five years serving the people of Peru, often traveling on foot to celebrate the sacraments and teach the people. He established the first seminary in the Americas.

+He learned the many of the native languages so he could be a better pastor and teacher for the indigenous people. He defended the rights of native peoples against Spanish colonials.

+Turibius died in 1606 and was canonized in 1726. He is honored as the patron saint of Peru and a special patron of those who work for the rights of indigenous and native peoples.

+ It is recorded that Saint Turibius confirmed more than a half million people, including Saint Rose of Lima and Saint Martin de Porres.

For prayer and reflection

“Turibius reminds society as a whole, and each community, that charity must always be accompanied by justice. And that there can be no authentic evangelization that does not point out and denounce every sin against the lives of our brothers and sisters, especially against the lives of those who are most vulnerable. This is a warning against any attempt to flirt with the world; it only ties our hands, only to receive a few crumbs in return; the freedom of the Gospel.”—From an address by Pope Francis to the Bishops of Peru

Spiritual bonus

On this day we also remember Blessed Annunciata Asteria Cocchetti. At the age of 17 she opened a school for poor girls in her home and, after several years teaching, she helped to establish the Sisters of St. Dorothy of Cemmo. Blessed Annunciata died on March 23, 1882, and was beatified in 1991.

Prayer

O God, who gave increase to your Church
through the apostolic labors and zeal for truth
of the Bishop Saint Turibius,
grant that the people consecrated to you
may always receive new growth in faith and holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.