 PEDRO
POVEDA, Founder of the Teresian Association
Pedro Poveda was born in Linares, Spain on
December 3, 1874. After he was ordained priest
in Guadix in 1897, he exercised his first apostolic
ministry among the poor cave dwellers. He organized
a livelihood program for adults and established
a school for children. He gave himself to human
and social advancement of the poor and marginalized
people.
In 1906, he was assigned as Canon in Marian
Sanctuary of Covadonga. While in Covadonga,
he became aware of the importance of education
and the emerging trends, so he dedicated himself
to solve the problems that confronted Christian
education at that time. He wrote to the university
sector of Madrid where women were just beginning
to take active part in the academic life of
the universities.
When the Civil War broke out, he was identified
as an enemy by those who wished to dechristianize
the schools. On July 28, 1936, he was shot to
death for his faith and for the cause of Christian
education.
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II at St.
Peter's Basilica on October 10, 1993, together
with Victoria Diez, a member of the Teresian
Association.
May 4, 2003 marked the canonization of Pedro
Poveda by Pope John Paul II in Madrid, Spain.
Fr. Poveda was declared SAINT. His work is continued
by the many men, women and youth in four continents
where the Teresian Association is. |
