St. Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur

Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur, who was born during the year 1626.

St. Peter's family was an extremely poor family from the Canary, Islands. Even with all the trouble St. Peter had to endure during his life he stayed strong in his faith and trusted God.

During St. Peter’s youth, he worked as a shepherd. St. Peter would always find a desire to pray while he was in nature.

Ever since a young age St. Peter enjoyed serving the poor and vulnerable that lived near him. After a couple years, St. Peter had the desire to go to the New World so that he could serve the poor that lived in that area. However, when St. Peter was on the difficult journey to Guatemala, he went on the journey without any money.

When St. Peter entered Guatemala City, St. Peter decided to join a Jesuit College, and St. Peter received help from a Franciscan friar. However, St. Peter’s time in the College was cut short after he failed in his studies.

After the tragic event that had occurred in St. Peter’s life, the kind friar told St. Peter that he could become a Franciscan brother. However, even though it was a kind and nice offer, St. Peter declined his offer. St. Peter declined because he felt that God wanted St. Peter to remain in the world.

Therefore, instead of becoming a Franciscan brother, St. Peter decided to become a Third Order Franciscan and St. Peter devoted himself to the service of African slaves, Native Americans, and many other individuals.

As a penance, St. Peter decided that every night he would go out to carry a heavy cross through the streets.

St. Peter later decided to create a congregation that would take care of the poor, the name was the Bethlehemite Brothers and Sisters.

St. Peter had a big devotion to Baby Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the relief of the souls in purgatory.

St. Peter was a promoter of the Franciscan’s rosary of the Seven Joys of Mary, and instituted a weekly rosary procession in Guatemala City. St. Peter died on April 25, 1667.

St. Peter was beatified on June 22, 1980 by St. John Paul II. St. Peter was canonized on July 30, 2002 in Guatemala City, Guatemala by St. John Paul II. St. Peter is the patron saint of the Canary Islands and of Guatemala. St. Peter’s feast day is celebrated on April 18.

Prayer to St. Peter:

St. Peter intercede that we may be able to be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that we may be able to serve others before ourselves and live a life filled with charity, love and forgiveness towards others. St. Peter help us to surrender ourselves to God so that we may be able to be guided by his love and do his will regardless of how difficult it may be or how much money we may have.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord and Mary Our Mother in Heaven

Amen

St. Peter pray for us

St. Joseph pray for us

May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.

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Works cited:

Information (read from, not taken):

Catholic Online. “St. Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur. ”St. Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online. Accessed 18 April 2021.

Images:

St. Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur. April 18, 2021. St. Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur - Google Search.