Peter Faber

August 2

Peter Faber was born in Savoy, France, in 1506 into a poor but devout peasant family. He was studying for the priesthood when he met Ignatius in Paris, where both of them were registered at the College of St Barbara. Ignatius led him to make the "Exercises", which changed Peter, scrupulous and timid by nature, into a confident and zealous young man. Peter brought his great friend Francis Xavier to meet Ignatius, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Perhaps Peter's finest moment came when as a newly ordained priest he offered Mass at the Montmartre chapel on the feast of the Assumption 1534, where the seven companions pledged themselves to perpetual chastity and to stay together.

Peter possessed the gift of friendship to a remarkable degree. Everyone recalled his unassuming nature and his gentleness which endeared him to all, even to hostile Protestants. He journeyed across Europe on foot, guiding priests, nobles and common people alike in the Spiritual Exercises, winning them over completely, and inspiring them to dedicate themselves to God's service.

Exhausted by his journeys, Faber was the first Jesuit to pass away. This was in Rome in August 1546, and he was only 40.

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St. Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga

August 18

Social activist, founder of El Hogar de Cristo

Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga (1901-1952) is famous as a pioneer in the Latin American Church's activities in favor of the working poor. The founder of El Hogar de Cristo directly experienced poverty as a young man when his mother was forced to sell the family farm after his father's death.

However, a scholarship allowed Hurtado to study at the Jesuit school in Santiago. He joined the Jesuits in 1923 but the Spanish government dissolved the Society of Jesus in 1932 while Hurtado was studying theology; the young Chilean finished his studies in Belgium where he was ordained. On returning to Chile, Hurtado exercised a typical Jesuit ministry of teaching and giving retreats.

His concern for the poor eventually led him to become director of Catholic Action, and in 1944 to ask women on a retreat to think of the men, women and children who were without a home to live in. The women responded with donations which Hurtado used to open first a hospice for youth and then one for women and children. This was the beginning of El Hogar de Cristo. "Hogar" means home, and the name signifies that people were welcomed into Christ's home. The movement spread beyond Chile and throughout South America. In 1947 he founded Asociación Sindical Chilena, a trade union movement. Hurtado also wrote three books on social issues and in 1951 started a monthly magazine, Mensaje ("Message") that explains the Church's social teaching and addresses social issues.

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St. David Lewis

August 27

Martyr of Wales

During his 31 years as a missionary in South Wales, David Lewis (1616-1679) was known to the faithful as Tad y Tlodion, "Father of the Poor." A native of Wales, Lewis came from a mixed family, his father being Protestant and his mother a Catholic, whose brother was a Jesuit priest.

Lewis studied law in London, but became a Catholic during a long visit to Paris. After his parents died during an epidemic, Lewis left England for Rome where he enrolled at the English College, was ordained and then entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1645.

When he finally returned to Wales, Lewis spent nearly three decades in pastoral ministry, showing special interest and care toward the poor and needy. His fruitful ministry ended when Jesuits had to go into hiding after the plot fabricated by Titus Oates alleged that the Jesuits wanted to murder Charles II and re-establish the Catholic faith in England. Anti-Catholic hatred ran high and the government offered a bounty for information leading to a Jesuit's capture. A couple who had been Catholic turned Lewis in; he was arrested Nov. 17, 1678 just as he was about to begin Mass. Authorities moved him from one prison to another for months before he was finally hanged on Aug. 27, 1679. At the gallows, he spoke so well of his Catholic faith and his commitment to it that the people were moved and the executioner feared they might stone him if he killed the priest. He left the scene and a blacksmith was paid to take his place and finish the execution.

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St. Edmund Arrowsmith

August 28

Martyr of England

Brian Arrowsmith (1585-1628) was born in Lancashire of Catholic parents who steadfastly refused to attend Protestant services. He left England at age 21 to attend the English College at Douai, Belgium, where he was confirmed, taking the name Edmund, after his father's brother who was a priest.

In June 1613 he returned to Lancashire as a priest where he spent 15 years in ministry. He was noted for his sincerity and energy in his priestly work. He was arrested for the first time about 10 years after his return and imprisoned in Lancaster Castle, but was freed when King James I pardoned all Catholic priests in English prisons. Arrowsmith had thought of becoming a Jesuit ever since making the Spiritual Exercises when he was a student at Douai. Finally in 1623 he joined the Society and continued his pastoral ministry. When a young man betrayed him to the local justice of the police, Arrowsmith attempted to flee, but priest-hunters overtook him on the road. He was convicted of being a priest, a crime of high treason, even though no proof was introduced against him. After only two days imprisoned in a cell so small he could barely sit, he was taken to a place of execution where he was hanged till dead, then disemboweled and quartered.

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