March 23

St. Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo

When they lived:

St. Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo, also known as Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, lived from November 16, 1538, to March 23, 1606. He was a prominent figure in the late 16th century.

Where they lived:

St. Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo lived primarily in two regions:

Spain: He was born in the city of Mayorga, in the region of Castile, Spain. This is where his early life and education took place.
Peru: Toribio de Mogrovejo is most renowned for his work as the Archbishop of Lima, Peru. He lived and worked there for the majority of his life, dedicating himself to the betterment of the Church and the indigenous people of the region.

Notable world events during the time of their life:

Spanish Conquest of the Inca Empire (1532-1572): During St. Toribio’s lifetime, the Spanish conquistadors, led by figures like Francisco Pizarro, were actively colonizing South America. This period marked significant clashes of cultures and the conversion of indigenous populations to Christianity.
Council of Trent (1545-1563): The Council of Trent was a crucial event in the Catholic Church during St. Toribio’s time. It aimed to address and reform various aspects of the Church, including its teachings, practices, and hierarchy.
Scientific Revolution (16th-17th centuries): While not directly related to St. Toribio, this era saw a surge in scientific discoveries and the development of the scientific method by figures like Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler. These advancements laid the groundwork for modern science.
Renaissance (14th-17th centuries): The Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement that encompassed art, literature, and philosophy. Although it began before St. Toribio’s birth, its influence persisted during his lifetime, contributing to the shaping of European culture.
Exploration and Colonization: The late 16th century was marked by European exploration and colonization worldwide. Figures like Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan had already set the stage, and this era saw continued expansion into the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

Patronage:

St. Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo is the patron saint of several causes and groups:

Archdiocese of Lima: He is the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Lima, where he served as Archbishop. He is revered for his tireless efforts to improve the Church and the lives of the indigenous people in Peru.
Latin American Bishops: St. Toribio is also considered a patron saint for Latin American bishops. His dedication to his pastoral duties, missionary work, and advocacy for social justice sets an inspiring example for contemporary clergy.
Indigenous Peoples: He is revered for his strong advocacy for the rights and well-being of indigenous populations. St. Toribio worked tirelessly to protect their rights and provide them with spiritual and material support.
Legal Profession: Due to his background in law and his emphasis on justice, St. Toribio is also considered a patron saint of the legal profession, especially in Peru.

St. Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo’s life and work continue to inspire individuals and groups around the world, making him a significant figure in both religious and historical contexts.

Early Life

The Spanish saint, Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo, also known as Turibius of Mogrovejo, was born to Luis Alfonso de Mogrovejo and Ana de Robles Imoran on November 16th, 1538. The location of his birth was Valladolid, Habsburg, Spain. As a young child, Toribio was known to have strongly upheld a devotion to the Blessed Virgin, so much so that no week went by without him fasting in honor of the Blessed Mother. His inquisitiveness to know more led to his studies at Valladolid College at the age of twelve, where he studied humanities. In the years that followed his graduation, Toribio joined his uncle, Juan de Mogrovejo, as a professor in Salamanca’s college, where his duty was to teach law. Years later, he returned as a student at the college in Coimbra, after which he came back to Salamanca. Years after his uncle’s death, because of how knowledgeable Toribio seemed to be, King Philip II assigned him the duty of Grand Inquisitor in the year 1571 at the Inquisition Court in Granada, where he served for five years.

Dedication and Devotion

King Philip II used his influence after Toribio had served as Grand Inquisitor to nominate him as Lima archbishop, given that the position was vacant at the time. Being grounded in canon law, Toribio tried to make the King see the reasons he could not take on the position—that it was one left for people who were ordained priests or kings only. Unfortunately, however, Toribio’s knowledge of canon law did not save him from what fate was deciding for him. His points were overruled by the pope, and subsequently, arrangements began to come up for his ordination before the official announcement of his filling the office. In 1578, Toribio was ordained into the priesthood, and by May of the following year, he was made an Archbishop. Toribio, after that, received his episcopal consecration in the year 1580, carried on by the Archbishop of Seville, Cristobal Rojas Sandoval.

Just after his ordination, Toribio kicked off his ministry by setting out on foot to Lima, where he baptized and taught people about Christ. Being that he was journeying through the archdiocese on foot, Toribio experienced a whole lot of ups and downs, from foot burns to fevers to threats from aggressive tribes to the wild beasts he’d had to face, too. But he didn’t relent. He instead went on to construct roads, hospitals, chapels, schools, and convents. He also established a seminary, which would be the very first of its kind in the entire Western Hemisphere. He fought to make sure that those priests of questionable behavior were brought to order, and though this earned him a title among them, it turned out for the good of all. The saint was also triumphant, among many other things, in including evangelism as a central theme in his episcopal career.

Legacy

Among the many legacies that St. Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo left behind after his passing are the schools, convents, hospitals, roads, chapels, etc. of his establishments. He also had a voice that stood for only what was upright. Such could be seen in his reformation of the diocesan priests. His commitment to including evangelism as a core aspect of his episcopal career could also be measured as one of his legacies. All in all, his influence and impact on life are a great legacy to look back on today.

Death and Canonization

Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo passed away on March 13th, 1606, at precisely 3:30 p.m. from a fever. This had happened as he’d predicted. Such was the case during the period of a pastoral visit in Pacasmayo. Toribio was canonized as a saint in 1726, on December 10th, precisely by Pope Benedict XIII.

Feast Day

A liturgical feast in honor of St. Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo used to be celebrated on April 27th, but currently it is done on March 23rd.

Prayer to St. Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo

Lord, through the apostolic work of Saint Turibius and his unwavering love of truth, you helped your church grow. May your chosen people continue to grow in faith and holiness. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Source:https://www.365rosaries.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-23-saint-toribio-alfonso-de.html?