Saint Who?
Saints Who Studied Law
Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo
Bishop († 1606)Feast: March 23
Turibius Alfonso de Mogrovejo was born into an aristocratic family and became a respected law professor in Spain. A devout man, he apparently never thought about becoming a priest, much less a bishop.
But the position of archbishop in Lima, Peru, a territory controlled by Spain, became vacant, and King Philip II of Spain and Pope Gregory XIII agreed that Turibius was the perfect choice. Despite Turibius’ strong objections, he eventually obeyed the pope and traveled by ship to faraway Peru.
Four decades before he arrived, the Spanish had brought the Gospel to the Peruvians. But Turibius discovered that most of the Spanish soldiers and settlers were more interested in profit than in treating the native people with charity, and even his priests were not much better. Turibius used his authority to punish those who mistreated the native people, particularly among the clergy, and stood up for the poor, despite threats and persecution from the rich and powerful. He traveled all over his vast, mountainous diocese and learned native dialects so that he could speak directly to the people, bringing about many conversions. When he knew his end was near, Turibius wrote his will, leaving his personal effects to his servants and giving everything else to the poor.
All-loving God, give us hearts to love and serve the poor.
