Saints celebrated on the 19th of May
BLESSED PEDRO DUENNA, RELIGIOUS AND MARTYR
Pedro Duenna (Duegnas) (Petrus) was born about 1378 in Palenzia/Spain. He probably came from noble parents, because he was brought up at court in Toledo (hence he is also called Toletanus here and there), where he maintained his purity throughout. Already as a tender youth, he decided to take the Franciscan habit at the solitary monastery on Mount Marino (apud montem Marinum). This institute, situated five miles from Cordoba, was known for its strictness in observing the Rule of Saint Francis.
In 1396 a holy man (Johannes a Cetina) of the same Order came to this lonely monastery to prepare for a mission among the Mohammedans in Granada, who at that time still held this famous city, and for probable martyrdom.
Pedro accompanied him, and on January 8, 1397, on a Sunday afternoon, they entered the city of the unbelievers and immediately began to preach about Jesus Christ. From that time on, their suffering for Jesus also began, whom they courageously proclaimed, regardless of all shame and death threats, as the only true prophet and Son sent by God, as the only way to salvation.
On May 29 of the same year, they were honoured to receive their martyr crowns for this faithful and steadfast confession. The Saracen king himself is said to have cut off the heads of both of them, first John and then Peter. Their bodies were dragged through the city and hacked into small pieces, but collected by the Christians, of whom there were always a number in Granada, and for the most part taken to Vich in Catalonia, where they were buried at the cathedral church.
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
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