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Also known as
Peter Poveda Castroverde
Profile
Raised in a pious family, he felt an early call to the priesthood. He
entered the seminary in Jaen in 1889, then the seminary of Guadix,
Grenada. Ordained on 17 April 1897.
He taught at the seminary, continued his studies, and received his
licentiate in theology in Seville in 1900. He ministered in Guadix to a
group of people so poor they lived in caves. He built a school for the
children, and provided vocation training to the adults.
He was transferred to Madrid, and was named a canon of the Basilica of
Covadonga, Asturius in 1906. His time in Guadix had impressed Pedro with
the need for education for the poor. He prayed on the topic, and wrote on
the need for professional training for teachers. In 1911 Pedro founded the
Saint Teresa of Avila Academy, the foundation of Institución Teresiana. He
joined the Apostolic Union of Secular Priests in 1912, wrote on the need
for more teachers, and opened teacher training centers. He returned to
teaching at the seminary at Jaen, served as spiritual director of Los
Operarios Catechetical Centre, and taught religion at the Teachers
Training School. In 1914 he opened Spain's first university residence for
women in Madrid. In 1921 he was transferred to Madrid and was appointed a
chaplain of the Royal Palace. In 1922 he was appointed to the Central
Board Against Illiteracy, and he continued to work with the Teresian
Association; it received papal approval in 1924, and later spread to Chile
and Italy.
Martyred in the Spanish Revolution.
Born
3 December 1874 at Linares, Spain
Died
shot by firing squad on 28 July 1936 at Madrid, Spain
Beatified
10 October 1993 by Pope John Paul II
Canonized
4 May 2003 by Pope John Paul II
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