Pedro Poveda Castroverde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintPedro Poveda Castroverde |
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| Priest and Martyr | |
| Born | 3 December 1874 Linares, Spain |
| Died | 28 July 1936 (aged 61) Madrid, Spain |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 10 October 1993, Rome, Italy by Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized | 4 May 2003, Madrid, Spain by Pope John Paul II |
| Feast | 28 July |
| Patronage | Teresian Association |
Pedro Poveda (born Pedro José Luis Francisco Javier Poveda Castroverde; 3 December 1874 – 28 July 1936) was a Spanish priest. He was also a kind helper, a teacher, and is known as a saint who died for his beliefs. He started a group called the Teresian Association. Pedro Poveda worked for over 30 years to help people and teach them. He was killed in 1936 because of his Christian faith. The Catholic Church recognized him as a blessed person in 1993 and a saint in 2003. His special day is July 28.
Contents
Life of Pedro Poveda
Early Life and Education
Pedro Poveda was born on December 3, 1874. His family lived in Linares, Spain. They were a strong Christian family. From a young age, Pedro wanted to become a priest.
In 1889, he joined the seminary in Jaén. Later, he moved to the seminary in Guadix, Granada. He received a special scholarship there from the bishop. Pedro became a priest on April 17, 1897. He was 23 years old. He taught at the seminary and kept studying. In 1900, he earned his degree in theology in Seville.
Helping Others Through Education
In 1902, Pedro was sent to Guadix to help the Roma people. They lived in caves there. He started teaching Christian lessons. Then, he opened two schools for the children.
Pedro even moved into the caves to be closer to the people. He started a school for boys and girls. He also set up a dining room and evening classes for adults. He traveled to collect money for his projects. He organized groups to help the poor. Pedro believed that education was very important. He founded the Schools of the Sacred Heart for children who were poor.
In 1905, Pedro faced some problems with his work. He had to leave the Caves of Guadix. At 32, he became a priest at the Basilica of Covadonga in Asturias.
Starting the Teresian Association
His time in Guadix showed Pedro how much education was needed. He began writing articles about training teachers. These writings were the start of the Teresian Association. At that time, many people in Spain could not read or write. About 68% of men and 79% of women were illiterate. The Academies he started helped with this problem.
In 1912, he joined a group of priests. He wrote more about the need for good teachers. He opened centers to train teachers. Pedro went back to teaching at the seminary in Jaen. He also taught religion at a teacher training school. In 1921, he moved to Madrid. There, he became a chaplain for the Royal Palace. In 1922, he joined a board to fight illiteracy. He kept working with the Teresian Association.
Pedro Poveda's Death
When the Spanish Civil War began, Pedro was seen as an enemy. Some people wanted to remove Christian teaching from schools. A few days before he died, he wrote a letter. He said Christians should learn from early Christians. They showed how to act during hard times. They obeyed the Church and prayed for those who hurt them.
On July 28, 1936, soldiers came to his house. Father Pedro told them he was a priest. He was shot and killed for his faith. He died for supporting Christian education. Father Poveda was 61 years old.
Recognized as a Saint
Pope John Paul II declared Pedro Poveda "Blessed" on October 10, 1993. This happened at St. Peter's Basilica. He was recognized along with Victoria Diez. She was also a member of the Teresian Association.
Pedro Poveda was made a saint on May 4, 2003. Pope John Paul II did this in Madrid, Spain. The Teresian Association continues his work today. They have schools and groups around the world.
Pedro Poveda's Legacy
Saint Pedro Poveda understood how important education is. He worked to help people who were struggling. He was a great teacher of Christian life. He showed how faith and knowledge go together. He believed Christians should help build a fair and supportive world. His life ended when he became a martyr.
The Teresian Association
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Pedro Poveda knew his country needed more education. He also saw the need for skilled teachers. He believed women had an important role in this. In 1911, he started the St. Teresa of Avila Academy in Oviedo. It was for women studying to become teachers. He named it after St. Teresa of Avila. She was a wise woman and a teacher of prayer.
He called this group the Teresian Association. Its goal is to encourage men and women to improve society. They do this by using their jobs, especially in education and culture. They follow Christian values. The first members were women who worked in all levels of education. They taught from elementary school to university. More academies were opened in other Spanish cities.
In 1914, he opened Spain's first university home for women in Madrid. More homes for women were opened near universities.
In 1924, Pope Pius XI approved the Teresian Association. It was first called a "pious union of the faithful." Later, it spread to Chile and Italy. In 1951, it became a "Secular Institute." In 1990, Pope John Paul II approved it to go back to its original name. It is now an "Association of the Faithful." The Teresian Association works in 30 countries. Its goal is to help people grow. It also aims to change unfair systems. This is done through education and culture from a Christian viewpoint.
See also
- Saint Pedro Poveda College, Manila
- In Spanish: Pedro Poveda para niños
