Toribio, Alfonso Mongrovejo, St

Toribio, Alfonso Mongrovejo, St.

a Spanish prelate, was born at Mayorga in 1538, and studied at Valladolid, giving himself meanwhile to the most austere form of religious life. From this he was called, in 1575, to the College of San Salvador. In 1580 he was made archbishop of Lima; he was consecrated at Seville, and immediately departed for Peru. He entered Lima May 24,1581. The diocese covered a large extent of territory, and the means of communication were very poor; but Toribio determined to make a tour of it in person. He sent evangelists into the remote districts, and did all in his power to elevate the Indians, who became much attached to him. His liberality was great, and crowds of poor people would wait at his door for alms. His knowledge of the language rendered access to the people easy, and his labors were incessant. But the fatigue of his long journeys and the warm climate proved fatal, and Toribio died during his third episcopal tour, March 23,1606. He was beatified by Clement XI in 1679, and canonized in 1726. See Prescott, Conquest of Peru, 4:3; Pinelo, Vida de Don Toribio, Arzobispo de Lima (Madrid, 1653). Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Géneralé s.v.