Saint Pedro Poveda Castroverde

Biography

Saint Pedro Poveda Castroverde, also known as Peter Poveda Castroverde, was born on 3 December 1874 in Linares, Jaen, Spain. He came from a devout Catholic family and felt a strong calling to the priesthood from a young age. Following this calling, he entered the seminary in Jaen in 1889 and later continued his studies at the seminary of Guadix in Granada, Spain. On 17 April 1897, Pedro Poveda was ordained as a priest. He began his ministry teaching at the seminary and pursuing further studies. In 1900, he received his licentiate in theology from Seville, Spain. It was during his time spent ministering in the poverty-stricken region of Guadix that Father Pedro Poveda became deeply aware of the need for education, particularly among the poor. Seeing the dire circumstances that children and adults faced in Guadix, Father Pedro built a school for the children and provided vocational training to the adults. In 1906, he was transferred to Madrid and became a canon of the Basilica of Covadonga in Asturias, Spain. Father Pedro's experiences in Guadix inspired him to work towards the education and professional training of teachers. In 1911, he founded the Saint Teresa of Avila Academy, which served as the foundation for the modern Institución Teresiana. A year later, he joined the Apostolic Union of Secular Priests and dedicated his efforts to promoting the need for more teachers. Father Pedro opened teacher training centers and returned to teaching at the seminary in Jaen. He also served as the spiritual director of Los Operarios Catechetical Centre and taught religion at the Teachers Training School. In 1914, he established Spain's first university residence for women in Madrid. Recognizing the importance of literacy and education, Father Pedro Poveda was appointed to the Central Board Against Illiteracy in 1922. Throughout his life, he continued to work tirelessly with the Teresian Association, an organization that focused on education and received papal approval in 1924. Today, the Teresian Association operates in 30 countries. Tragically, during the Spanish Civil War, Father Pedro Poveda was martyred for his faith. On 28 July 1936, he was shot by a firing squad in Madrid. His unwavering dedication to education and his selfless service to others marked his life with courage and love. Saint Pedro Poveda Castroverde was venerated on 21 December 1992 by Pope John Paul II, who issued a decree of martyrdom acknowledging his sacrifice. On 10 October 1993, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II. Finally, on 4 May 2003, Pope John Paul II canonized him as a Catholic saint, recognizing his exemplary life of faith and his commitment to the education and empowerment of the marginalized. While not associated with any specific patronage, Saint Pedro Poveda Castroverde remains an inspiration for those who strive to make a difference through education and service.