Peter of Saint Joseph de Betancur

Peter of Saint Joseph de Betancur y Gonzáles (March 21, 1626 – April 25, 1667), also known as Hermano Pedro or Santo Hermano Pedro, was a Spanish missionary and saint who is revered as the "Saint Francis of Assisi of the Americas." He holds the distinction of being the first saint native to the Canary Islands and is considered the first saint of Guatemala and Central America for his extensive missionary work in those lands.

Life and Historical Context

Born in Vilaflor on the Island of Tenerife, Betancur was the son of Amador Betancourt and Ana Gonzáles Betancurt, and had indigenous Guanche ancestry. His early life involved working as a shepherd. In 1638, his family's estate was seized, leading to his indenture. In 1649, at the age of 23, he left for New Spain, eventually sailing to Guatemala with the hope of connecting with a relative.

Upon arriving in Guatemala, impoverished, he sought aid from Franciscan friars and later found work in a textile factory. He attempted to study for the priesthood at the Jesuit College of San Borgia but withdrew after three years, unable to master the material. He then became a Franciscan tertiary and adopted the religious name Peter of Saint Joseph.

Major Contributions

Betancur's most significant contribution was his founding of the Order of Our Lady of Bethlehem (Spanish: Orden de Nuestra Señora de Belén), also known as the Bethlehemites. This order was established to care for the sick and homeless. He began by converting a hut into a hospital for the convalescent poor, which later expanded into a larger institution with a shelter for the homeless and a school for the poor.

He was known for his compassion towards marginalized groups, including lepers, prisoners, and slaves. He also devoted himself to begging for alms to support Masses for poor priests and for the souls in purgatory, often traveling the streets at night to encourage prayers.

Legacy and Veneration

Peter of Saint Joseph de Betancur died in Antigua Guatemala at the age of forty-one, exhausted by his labors. His remains were initially interred in the church of the Capuchin Friars. His cause for sainthood was formally opened in 1729, and he was declared Venerable in 1771 and beatified in 1980. He was canonized on July 30, 2002, by Pope John Paul II.

He is considered an identity symbol of Canarian culture and is sometimes credited with introducing the Christmas Eve posadas procession to the Americas. His tomb is in the San Francisco Church in Antigua Guatemala, and his birthplace in Vilaflor is a pilgrimage site. His liturgical holiday is celebrated on April 25th.