Pedro de Betancourt, born in Villaflor, Tenerife in 1626, spent his adult years as a missionary in Guatemala, where he founded a hospital for the poor.
He died in 1667 aged 41. In 2002 he was canonized by the Pope - there was great rejoicing in Tenerife, where we were living at the time.
The cave where he sheltered as a young shepherd is now a shrine which people visit to ask Hermano Pedro's help or to give thanks, and to light a candle. The cracks in the cave walls are stuffed with handwritten prayers, including one of mine.
It is a peaceful spot, but not always, as it lies at the end of Tenerife's runway. When the wind dictates landings over the shrine, the sound of planes can batter you into the ground!
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This is one website where you can read more about Hermano Pedro's short life. https://elmedanoweb.com/en/hiking/hermano-pedro-cave-peter-de-betancurt/
Thanks to Susan Rouchard whose photograph conjured up this memory, and to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers, even through Hanukkah.
Interesting, Lizy.
ReplyDeleteWe loved visiting the cave.
DeleteI love this, Liz. Isn't it wonderful when a photo sparks a memory?
ReplyDeleteA whole, intact one too!
DeleteWhat a fascinating story and a great memory for you. Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine him,400 years ago, setting off across the Atlantic?
DeleteAs long as the plane is not too low. That could be a whole other light show.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, we could practically touch the plane's landing wheels as it was!
DeleteWe can't escape the noise of the modern world. How sad. This is a lovely snippet of memoir and history.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting.
DeleteGranonine here. The picture surely conjured a great memory for you. And I learned about someone I'd never heard of before :)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have known about him either if we hadn't lived ten minutes drive away,
DeleteWhat an interesting story and great memory. Except for the planes.
ReplyDeleteI actually enjoyed the planes. When we knew the wind was in that direction we'd go specifically to stand underneath!
DeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteInteresting bit of Tenerife history. I just watched a movie last night about Lourdes, France that your story has some parallels with.
ReplyDeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteAn interesting piece of history. In Israel, the cracks in the wall are also stuffed full of handwritten prayers. (some of them mine ;) )
Shalom,
Rochelle
Interesting story. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDelete