Page 69 - Saints of the Month: February

Saints of the Month: February

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Blessed Álvaro of Córdoba

Álvaro of Córdoba

The 19th of February is the feast day of Blessed Alvaro of
Cordoba. He is also known as Alvarez of Cordova. He lived
between 1350 and 1430 and was born to a noble family in
Zamora, Spain. He became a Dominican and preached throughout
Spain, serving at the court of Queen Catherine. He made a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land and started to preach the crusades
against the Muslims when he returned. The priory of Scala Caeli
(Ladder of Heaven) at Cordova was founded by him, legend says
that the angels helped in providing its building materials. He
placed pictures of the holy places in Jerusalem in the gardens and
help to make the Stations of the Cross popular. He begged for
alms, though he could have obtained what he needed from the
royal court. Another legend says that he found a dying beggar,
whom he wrapped in a blanket and carried back to the convent.
When he unwrapped the cloth, he found a crucifix only. He helped
to spread devotion to the Way of the Cross in Western Europe and

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