St. Pedro Betancourt
March 21, 1626 - April 25, 1667
“[He is the] first Canarian and Guatemalan saint [and he] ... personifies a heritage which must not be lost; we should always be thankful for it and we should renew our resolve to imitate it”
Known by a few names including Hermano Pedro de San José Betancurt (Brother Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur) or more simply Santo Hermano Pedro (Saint Brother Peter), was a Spanish missionary worker and the first Guatemalan Saint. He was a Third Order Franciscan, devoting himself to the service of African slaves, Native Americans, and other needy individuals. As a penance, each night he went out to carry a heavy cross through the streets.
Peter de Betancur was distinguished by the humble spirit and austere life with which he practiced mercy. He was beatified on June 22, 1980, and canonized on July 30, 2002, by Pope John Paul II.