Confessor (1526-81), Apostle of South America, born Valencia, Spain, 1526; died there 1581. He joined the Dominican Order, 1544, was ordained 1547, and for 30 years served as master of the novices. He exhibited heroic charity during the plague of 1557. An eloquent preacher, inspired with the hope of martyrdom, he requested to be sent to Central America. His labors in Panama and Colombia were astonishingly successful, but after seven years he was recalled to Spain to assume a position of responsibility in his order. Represented extinguishing a fire; holding a cross, and a chalice surmounted by a serpent. Canonized, 1674. Feast, October 9,.