St. Peter of Alcantara, 1499-1562
One of the greater Saints less known, reformer of the Franciscans, master of prayer and penance of St. Francis de Sales, Saint St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and others... levitation

The Franciscan Reformer:
    His thirst for penance was unappeased, and in 1539, being then forty years old, he founded the Congregation of Saint Joseph of the “Strict Observance,” the Alcantarine reforms, to conserve the letter of the Rule of Saint Francis. He suffered great tribulations to conserve that Rule in its integrity. Eventually Saint Peter himself, the year before his death, raised it to the status of a province under obedience to the Minister General of the entire Seraphic Order. The Reform he instituted has since been extended even to the farthest Orient and the Indies; it is believed God ordained that it repair the ravages to the faith of the sixteenth century.
    Friend and confessor of Saint Teresa of Avila, the Carmelite Reformer, assisted her in 1559 during her work to reform her own Order. St. Teresa is one among those whom he guided to perfection, who fully appreciated this remarkable director. He read her soul, approved her spirit of prayer, and strengthened her to carry out her reforms.
   
An extraordinary penitent:
    He lived perpetually on bread and water alone, even during his illnesses. He devised a sort of harness to keep him upright on his seat during the short hour and a half of sleep which he took every day, for forty years. He acknowledged to Saint Teresa of Avila that this mortification was the one which cost him the most. He slept that short time sitting under the stairs, reclining his head on a piece of wood. I have a large part of that piece.
    The cells of the friars of Saint Joseph in Alcantara resembled graves rather than dwelling-places. The best used space for a building in the world. His sackcloth habit and a cloak were his only garments; he never covered his head or feet.
    In the bitter winter he would open the door and window of his cell in order that, by closing them again, he might be grateful for the shelter of his cell.

Master of Prayer of the Masters!: Mystic and writer whose works were used by Saint St. Francis de Sales, Saint St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and others. His short booklet on Prayer, Treatise on Prayer and Meditation is great, the one used by the Masters of prayer.
    Levitation, Incarnation: Once the King went to visit St. Peter and he was nowhere... finally, there he was, about 50 meters high in the sky, and the King waiting... when he finally came down all he was saying was "He Incarnated, He Incarnated, He Incarnated".

    Son of Peter Garavita, governor of the palace; his mother was a member of the noble family of Sanabia. Studied grammar and philosophy at Alcantara and both civil and canon law at Salamanca University. Franciscan at age 16 at Manjarez. Founded the friary at Babajoz at age 20, and served as its superior. Ordained in 1524 at age 25. Noted preacher. A recluse by nature, living at the convent of Saint Onophrius, a remote location where he could study and pray between missions. Franciscan provincial for Saint Gabriel in Estemadura in 1538. Worked in Lisbon in 1541 to help reform the Order. Commissioner of his Order in Spain in 1556. Provincial of his reformed Order in 1561. 

Born 1499 at Alcantara, Estremadura, Spain

Died 18 October 1562 at Estremadura, Spain of natural causes

Beatified 18 April 1622 by Pope Gregory XV - Canonized 28 April 1669 by Pope Clement IX

Additional Information
    - http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintp31.htm
    - http://www.magnificat.ca/cal/engl/10-19.htm

Works Treatise on Prayer and Meditation

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Readings of Saint Peter of Alcantara:
    - He does much in the sight of God who does his best, be it ever so little.
    - No tongue can express the greatness of the love which Jesus Christ bears to our souls. He did not wish that between Him and His servants there should be any other pledge than himself, to keep alive the remembrance of Him.
 

St. Paul of the Cross, 1694-1775
While still a layman, he founded the Barefoot Clerks of the Cross and the Passion (Passionists) in 1721 to preach about Jesus Crucified. Preacher of such power that hardened soldiers and bandits were seen to weep.
    Passionists: Preachers of the Passion of Jesus. Their monasteries are houses of prayer. They have 25 Provinces, and work in 53 countries. In the United States, their special work is carried on through retreat houses and parish renewals. In the third world, they labor as missionaries and pastors.
 

North American Martyrs of Canada

    Also known as Canadian Martyrs; Isaac Jogues and Companions; Jesuit Martyrs of North America; Martyrs of New France