Saint Peter of Alcantara
Saint Peter of Alcantara
(Pierre d’Alcantara)
Feast Day – October 19
Peter was born at Alcantara in Spain in 1499. Already as a child
he manifested a remarkable gift of prayer, so that at times, when he
became absorbed in prayer, the servants were unable to get any response
from him.
At the University of Salamanca Saint Peter of Alcantara resolved
to join the Franciscan Order. The tempter left nothing undone to depict
the comfortable life he could lead in the world and still have time for
the practices of piety, but humble prayer overcame the seductions of the
evil one.
Peter set out for the quiet convent of Monjarez. On the way our Lord gave him a signal assurance of his vocation.
Saint Peter of Alcantara came to a stream which, because of heavy
rains, had overflowed its banks considerably. Seeing no means at hand
with which to cross, he knelt down and asked God for help. Suddenly,
without knowing how, he found himself on the other side.
Once received into the order, he gave himself up completely to
union with God. He kept so strict a guard over his senses, that a year
later he could not say whether the church in which he prayed each day
had a vaulted roof or a flat one.
His body seemed to have given to him only to inflict pain upon
it. The mortifications he practiced upon divine impulse were amazing.
For more than 20 years he wore an iron belt studded with sharp points
which pierced his flesh, and for more than 40 years he daily scourged
himself till he bled. At first he was much troubled with sleepiness, but
he so mortified himself that in time he got along with one and a half
hours sleep in a day; and this rest he took while sitting on the floor.
According to St Teresa of Avila, it was a very common thing for
him to take food only once in three days, and that sometimes he would go
a week without eating.
God showed His approval of these mortifications by sustaining
Peter's strength in a remarkable way. Saint Peter of Alcantara never
tired of going from place to place to give missions, and his success was
so astounding that St Francis Borgia once wrote to him: "Your
remarkable success is a special comfort to me."
His various activities, however, in no way diminished his spirit
of prayer. He lived and toiled in this spirit, and endeavored to impart
it to others.
The sufferings of Christ were the special object of his devotion.
As Christ sacrificed Himself for us, Peter found nothing too difficult
in His service; and as Christ atoned so severely for our sins, Peter
practiced the most rigorous penance.
The custom of erecting a cross at the close of a mission had its origin
with Saint Peter of Alcantara. Whenever feasible, he had the cross
erected on an elevation, so that it could be seen all over the parish.
On one occasion he was so literally carried away with devotion that he
sped through the air to such a cross, where with arms outstretched he
prayed a long time, while rays brighter than sunlight proceeded from his
person.
Saint Peter of Alcantara wrote a little treatise on prayer and
meditation which is celebrated the world over. Pope Gregory XV declared
that it was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The great
mistress of prayer, St Theresa, who lived at that time, wished to have
the saint for her spiritual director; and he aided her in reforming the
order of Carmel.
Saint Peter of Alcantara was a very humble man, and fled from
honors. Emperor Charles V wanted him for his confessor, but Peter begged
him not to press his request since he could easily secure more learned
and eminent men.
In the order itself he was obliged to accept the position of
provincial, and due to his efforts his province rose to a flourishing
state of religious discipline. Provincial though he was, he did not
hesitate on occasion to perform the lowliest duties in the house.
Saint Peter of Alcantara was humble and charitable in his
judgments. A nobleman was once decrying the various evils which were
rampant. The saint said: "Truly, matters in the world are in a bad
state; but if you and I begin in earnest to reform ourselves, a really
good beginning will have been made."
On October 18, 1562, Saint Peter of Alcantara died peacefully in
the Lord. St Theresa saw his soul take its flight to heaven. Later he
appeared to her and said: "O happy penance that has merited for me such
wondrous glory!"
Many miracles, including the raising of six dead persons to life,
occurred in answer to prayers addressed to him. Pope Clement IX
enrolled him among the saints.
from: The Franciscan Book Of Saints, ed. by Marion Habig, OFM