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Saint Turibius of Mongrovejo, Bishop
Optional Memorial
March 23rd

b. at Mayorga, León, Spain November 16, 1538; d. near Lima, Peru, March 23, 1606; beatified by Pope Innocent XI 1697, Canonized by Pope Benedict XIII 1726.

A well-educated nobleman, Turbius of Mongrovejo (or Turbio Alfonso de Mongrovejo) was law professor at the university of Salamanca and served with distinction as a judge before he was appointed Archbishop of Peru, arriving there in May 1581. His missionary work included baptizing and teaching the natives, often traveling his diocese on foot, despite dangers from wild beasts, tropical heat, and savage tribes. With remarkable zeal, he baptized and confirmed nearly half a million people, among them St. Rose of Lima, St. Francis Solano, and St. Martin of Porres. He learned the native languages, build roads, schools, hospitals, convents and many chapels; and he founded the first seminary in the New World at Lima in 1591. He contracted a fever on one of his journeys, struggled to reach the sanctuary of a church near Lima, received Viaticum (last rites), and died shortly after. He was one of the first saints from the Americas to be canonized.

Collect:
O God, who gave increase to your Church
through the apostolic labors and zeal for truth
of the Bishop Saint Turibius,
grant that the people consecrated to you
may always receive new growth in faith and holiness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in hte unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading: 2 Timothy 1: 13-14;2:1-3
Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:35-38
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."