Saint Peter of Alcantara, a Spanish Franciscan friar who lived in the 16th century, was known for his life of penitence and virtue of patience. He served as the confessor for Saint Teresa of Avila, another significant reformer. Saint Peter founded the Alcantarines, a branch of the Franciscans, and was canonized in 1669.
Peter of Alcantara practiced severe and austere methods of penitence, such as fasting for long periods to discipline his body and spirit. He slept very little, often only 90 minutes a night, to devote more time to prayer and contemplation. He and his followers, known as the Discalced or "Barefoot" Reform, often went barefoot as a sign of humility and penance. Regular practices included self-scourging and other forms of physical penance. He lived in small, uncomfortable friaries with minimal comforts and practiced extreme austerity in his daily life, wearing simple clothing and avoiding meat and dairy products except for the sick.
The Discalced Franciscans, also known as the Alcantarines, were founded by Saint Peter of Alcantara in the 16th century. The term "discalced" means "barefoot" or "without shoes," reflecting their practice of going barefoot or wearing simple sandals as a sign of humility and penance. The Discalced Franciscans emerged as a reform movement within the Franciscan Order, emphasizing a return to the original ideals of poverty, simplicity, and austerity as practiced by Saint Francis of Assisi. Members of the Discalced Franciscans lead a life of extreme austerity and penitence, engaging in practices such as fasting, sleep deprivation, and self-scourging to discipline their bodies and spirits. Their habit is typically light brown, distinguishing them from other branches of the Franciscan Order.
In 1897, Pope Leo XIII reunited the Discalced Franciscans with other stricter branches of the Franciscan Order, such as the Reformati and the Recollect Friars Minor, into one Order of Friars Minor. The Discalced Franciscans have had a significant impact on the Franciscan Order and the broader Catholic Church, particularly through their emphasis on penitence and reform. They continue to be an important part of the Franciscan family, maintaining their commitment to a life of simplicity, humility, and devotion.
