Saint Pedro de San Jose Betancur- Part 2
…Pedro hurried to assist the victims. The next day he felt so completely exhausted that he sought help at Saint John of God Hospital. This was the Hospital which received the most neglected patients, especially many Native Indians and Africans. He soon recovered and was able to find work at a bakery nearby.
Pedro wanted to become a priest. He enrolled in the local Jesuit college (Jesuit College of San Borgia) in the hope hope of studying for the priesthood. No matter how hard he tried, however, he could not master the material, and thus withdrew from the school.
Unable to take holy orders, he became a Franciscan tertiary in the convent of Costa Rica in Antigua Guatemala, and took the name “Peter of Saint Joseph” and took their habit in January 1655.
He then withdrew to El Calvario Church, where he assumed the role of sacristan. Pedro spent hours in adoration before a crucifix which was venerated in the sanctuary. In his free time, he performed works of mercy, looking after all the deprived, visiting hospitals, prisons, the poor, the hungry, and unemployed immigrants. He taught children their catechism with songs and games. Little by little, his kindness and his reputation for holiness drew many people to El Calvario.
Driven by the same spirit of charity as others before him, Brother Pedro bought in February 1658 a very poor house, which he named “The Little House of Our Lady of Bethlehem” There he welcomed street children, whites, Creoles, blacks, etc.Soon, students, foreigners, and poor convalescents who had been turned away from hospitals were streaming there. Thus did this man with hardly any formal schooling, become the founder of the first free basic literacy school in Central America, and founder of the first convalescence hospital in the Spanish territories in the New World. His success was such that he quickly had to expand the location. He was able to acquired neighboring houses curtesy of gifts he received.
One day, Pedro found at the door to the Saint Francis monastery a poor old woman, a former slave and now completely abandoned, he asked her to stay in his home, and carried her there himself on his shoulders. His charity to all earned him the title of “Mother of Guatemala” conferred on him by Pope John Paul II during his beatification.
Pedro’s desire was to build a real hospital especially for convalescents who still needed care and had to recover both their physical strength and the health of their soul. He explained his plan to the local bishop, who, after listening to him , asked him with what resources he would pay for such a costly building project. “I don’t know,” replied Pedro, “but God knows and will provide them”. The bishop granted the permission and work began immediately. There was, however, no shortage of critics. Was it not presumptuous to undertake this kind of work? They asked.
One day, the superior of the Franciscan monastery came to visit the construction site in Pedro’s absence, and he condemned the costly project. When he returned and was informed of the friar’s thoughts, Pedro limited himself to saying:
“All this is done not on this Father’s behalf, nor on mine, but on God’s behalf, and who will live, will see”
In fact, Pedro’s faith and humility allowed him to gradually collect the necessary funds.
On April 20, 1667, Pedro, now weak from his tireless work, developed pneumonia. When he realized he was dying, he designated Rodrigo of the Cross his successor and, blessed him with the words “May God make you humble!” he outlined for him the principles that he needed to maintain in the work he had undertaken.
Pedro died on 25 April 1667 at Guatamala City. He was beatified on 22 June 1980 by Pope John Paul II and canonized 30 July 2002 in Guatemala City, Guatemala by Pope John Paul II .
At the homily read by John Paul II in Guatemala City on July 30, 2002, Pedro was called the "first Canarian and Guatemalan saint.
Rodrigo of the Cross faithfully executed the founder’s wishes and wrote the constitutions of the Order of Bethlehem. He accepted Sisters as well as Brothers. In 1674, Pope Clement X approved the rules of both communities.
Saint Pedro de San Jose Betancur
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