St. Toribio of Mogrovejo
Together with Rose of Lima, Turibius is the first known saint of the New World, serving the Lord in Peru, South America, for 26 years. St. Toribio de Mogrovejo, also spelled Turibius, was born in Spain around the year 1538 and received an education in civil law as a young man. He excelled at his studies, and was eventually made a professor of law at the University of Salamanca. During the Spanish Inquisition at Grenada, Toribio was called upon to serve as the chief judge, and while filling this post quickly gained a reputation for intelligence and holiness. While Toribio was serving as judge, the diocese of Lima became vacant and he was chosen to fill it. Toribio protested the decision and cited various canon laws backing up his position, but an exception was made and he accepted the ruling. Toribio was ordained to the priesthood, then consecrated bishop and then sent to Lima to battle poverty, and scandal. When Toribio arrived, he immediately began to work to end abuses of the governo...