Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Peter of Regalado.

Peter lived during the Great Western Schism (1378–1417), which the Council of Constance resolved. (1414-1418). The destruction of the Byzantine Empire happened in 1453 due to the Turks capturing Constantinople during the Hundred Years’ War between France and England. At the time of Peter’s passing, Germany had just entered the age of printing, and Columbus had only been in the New World for less than 40 years.

Peter was born into an affluent and devout family in Valladolid, Spain. He was allowed to join the Conventual Franciscans at the age of thirteen. Soon after receiving his priesthood in Aguilar, he was named the friary’s superior. He joined a community of friars who aimed to live lives marked by tremendous penance and poverty. He was named head of all the Spanish Franciscans in his reform movement in 1442.

Peter served as an example for the friars. Peter was notable for his tremendous support of the underprivileged and the sick. His generosity to those in need has inspired miraculous tales. For instance, as long as Peter had hungry people to feed, there appeared to be enough bread. Peter was underweight for most of his life and subsisted solely on bread and water.

As soon as he passed away on March 30, 1456, his gravesite started to attract visitors. In 1746, Peter became a saint.

Source: franciscanmedia.org