July 28th St. Pedro Poveda Castroverde Priest and Martyr Optional Memorial

Saint Pedro Poveda Castroverde was born December 3, 1874 at Linares, Jaen, Spain. He felt the calling to the priesthood from early childhood and entered the diocesan seminary in Jaen in 1889. He transferred to the Diocese of Gaudix, Grenada after being offered a scholarship by the Bishop. St Pedro Poveda Castroverde was ordained a priest April 17, 1897. 

St Pedro dedicated himself to the education of others, especially the poor. He is known for beginning an apostolate educating “cave-dwellers” who lived in the hills outside of Gaudix. 

He recognized a problem of the education system of his day began with the teachers themselves and began the St Teresa of Avila Academy, dedicated to the spiritual and pastoral formation of teachers. This is the genesis of the Teresian Association which spread throughout Spain and into Italy and Chile. 

St Pedro Poveda Castroverde fell victim to the religious persecution of the Spanish Civil War July 28, 1936.

Use antiphons and psalms of the day, readings, Gospel antiphons, and intercessions from common of One Martyr