On March 23, the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee celebrated the feast day of St. Turibius, who became the patron saint of Peru after his efforts to uphold the rights of that country's indigenous population.

St. Turibius was born in Spain to a noble family, the diocese said in a recent Facebook post. Even as a youth, his faith was noticed as he frequently prayed, fasted and gave to the poor. In 1581, he was consecrated as a bishop and went to Peru. 

"Even amidst opposition from greedy colonists, he became a champion for the indigenous Peruvians, showing them that he considered them more precious than their country's resources," the post said. "St. Turibius, thank you for your courage. Please pray for us!"

Turibius was a brilliant law scholar who worked as a professor at the University of Salamanca, a report by Franciscan Media said. He later became chief judge of the Inquisition at Granada. 

King Philip II appointed Turibius as the Archbishop of Lima, Peru; a report by Saints Resource said. Turibius protested, arguing that he was not even a priest, let alone a bishop. But despite his resistance, he was ordained and sent halfway around the world. 

When he arrived in Peru, Turibius found that Spanish settlers had enslaved the native people, Saints Resource said. He decided to travel across the country and visit every parish. Turibius often traveled by foot and slept on dirt floors, ministering to the poor and listening to their needs. He supervised the construction of new churches as well as Peru's first seminary.

Turibius passed away on March 23, 1606, a report by Catholic Saints said. He was canonized in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII. He is the patron saint of Peru, native rights and Latin American bishops. His feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his passing.