CHAPTER I.
OF THE BIRTH AND EDUCATION OF BLESSED ALCANTARA AND OF HIS ENTERING INTO RELIGION.
This blessed Saint was born at Norba Cassarea, vulgarly called Alcantara, in the year of our Lord 1449, in the reign of Pope Alexander the Sixth, and Ferdinando, Catholic King of Spain. His father was called Bachilier Garavito, and his mother Maria Villela de Senabria, both of good quality, but especially honored for their virtues.
They brought up their young son in the fear of God, and sowed in him the seeds of virtue; they put him to school where, as he profited in learning, so his obedience towards his parents did likewise increase. Although he was a child, yet he withdrew himself from the common sports of children, and sorted himself amongst men, whom he saw inclined to devotion. In these his tender years, he addicted himself to the works of mercy: he applied himself seriously to learn the Christian doctrine; he often visited churches, and holy
