Turibius of Mongrovejo

Who they were

Turibius was born in 1538 at Mayorga de Campos in Spain to the noble Mogrovejo family. A distinguished canon lawyer, he was teaching at Salamanca when in 1580 King Philip II chose him, still a layman, as archbishop of Lima; he received all the orders in quick succession and was consecrated bishop.

In Peru he found the Indios exploited by the conquistadors' descendants under the pretext of evangelisation. He founded about a hundred parishes, held a council of the Americas, two provincial councils and twelve diocesan synods, and when plague came was at the side of the sick, giving them everything he had. Ignoring the viceroy's court, he considered the Indios his flock. He died on one of his journeys, at Saña, in 1606.

The miracles

In 1983 St John Paul II named him patron of the Latin American bishops. The miracles examined for his canonisation are not described in the sources we have used.

Why that counted as sanctity

Turibius was a true shepherd to the Indios of Peru, defending them against the powerful and crossing his vast diocese on foot until he died on the road.

Connected on this site

• John Paul II Saint
  “In 1983 St John Paul II named him patron of the Latin American bishops.” — this site's research
• Martin de Porres Saint
  “He confirmed almost half a million people; these included Rose of Lima and Martin de Porres.” — Wikipedia
• Rose of Lima Saint
  “He confirmed almost half a million people; these included Rose of Lima and Martin de Porres.” — Wikipedia