Peter González

Peter González, later lovingly called Saint Elmo or Telmo, was born in 1190 in Frómista, Palencia, in the Kingdom of Castile and León. Raised and educated under the care of his uncle, the Bishop of Astorga, he received a canonry while still young and seemed destined for an honored ecclesiastical career. Yet God used a moment of public humiliation to awaken his heart: riding proudly into the city, he was thrown from his horse into the mud, and the laughter of the crowd pierced his vanity. Humbled, Peter resigned his position and entered the Dominican Order. As a friar and priest he became a powerful preacher, drawing great crowds and leading many to conversion. Serving for a time at court, he urged restraint and mercy, notably helping to prevent the pillaging of Córdoba and advocating humane treatment of Moorish prisoners. In his later years he preached throughout northwest Spain with special devotion to Spanish and Portuguese seamen. He died at Tui on April 15, 1246, where he is buried, and he is honored as patron of Tui. His feast day is April 15.