Saint Luis Beltran

Catholic Saint

st.Luis Beltran-Patron saint of Colombia who evangelized throughout the Americas

Feast Day : October 9

Patronage: Colombia

Luis Beltrán was born in Valencia, Spain, in 1526. At 18 he joined the Order of St. Dominic and in 1547 was ordained a priest. Five years later he was put in charge of instructing the novitiates. As a teacher he was very strict and severe, concerned that his students sincerely renounce the world and unite perfectly with God. In 1562, Luis was sent to Cartagena, Colombia, to evangelize the natives of the New World. He worked in missions throughout Colombia, Panama and the islands of the Caribbean. Although he spoke only Spanish, God gave him the gifts of tongues, prophecy and miracles. Luis returned to Spain in 1569 and dedicated himself to training new missionaries to continue with the evangelization of the Americas. He died on October 9, 1581, after a debilitating illness.