Pedro Poveda Castroverde

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Pedro Poveda was born in Linares, Spain on December 3, 1874. After he was ordained priest in Guadix in 1897, he exercised his first apostolic ministry among the poor cave dwellers. He organized a livelihood program for adults and established a school for children. He gave himself to human and social advancement of the poor and marginalized people.

In 1906, he was assigned as Canon in Marian Sanctuary of Covadonga. While in Covadonga, he became aware of the importance of education and the emerging trends, so he dedicated himself to solve the problems that confronted Christian education at that time. He wrote to the university sector of Madrid where women were just beginning to take active part in the academic life of the universities.

When the Civil War broke out, he was identified as an enemy by those who wished to dechristianize the schools. On July 28, 1936, he was shot to death for his faith and for the cause of Christian education.

He was beatified by Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Basilica on October 10, 1993, together with Victoria Diez, a member of the Teresian Association.

May 4, 2003 marked the canonization of Pedro Poveda by Pope John Paul II in Madrid, Spain. Fr. Poveda was declared SAINT. His work is continued by the many men, women and youth in four continents where the Teresian Association is.