St. Peter of Alcantara
San Pedro De Alcántara

The Man
(1499 - 1562)

Peter Garavito was the son of the governor of Alcántara, Spain.  He studied locally and also studied law at Salamanca University.  At 16, he joined the Observant Franciscans at Manjoretes.  He practiced great austerity and penances.  Peter was sent to Badajoz, Spain to found a friary when he was 22.  He was ordained in 1524.  In 1560, he met Santa Teresa of Avila and became her confessor and advisor.  He died in the convent at Estramadura in 1562.  He was canonized in 1669.

This statue was constructed in Mexico sometime between 1775 and 1850.  The statue shows St. Peter of Alcántara as a tonsured (the practice of clipping or shaving the crown of the head), beardless male in Franciscan habit, holding a closed book against his waist with his left hand.  His right hand is missing and may have held a dove or a pen.  The irregular, wood base supports a plank figure with the toes of the left foot missing.  The head has two sections and glass eyes, one of which is broken.  The habit is over-painted in brown, but fine painted drapery with an overall floral pattern in gold with black outlines and punch work, estofado, is visible.