As we round up our Lenten season with this fifth week in Lent, we come across a beautiful saint by the name of Toribio de Mogrovejo. Toribio was born in Mayorga, Spain, on November 16th, 1538. He died on March 23rd, 1606, in Saña, Peru, while on pastoral visitation. He was the Archbishop of Lima, and he was appointed as archbishop in 1579 and wasn't even yet a priest—interesting. He was rapidly ordained a priest and consecrated bishop after his appointment, and then he was canonized in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII.
What is Saint Toribio historically and heroically known for? Saint Toribio is one of the greatest missionary bishops in Church history. He was a tireless shepherd, and we hear about Jesus in today's Gospel, who is the unique Good Shepherd after whom every good shepherd is modeled. And Saint Toribio, he traveled thousands of miles on foot across Peru, and he visited even the most remote villages in the Andes, personally confirmed hundreds of thousands of faithful. He was a defender of the indigenous. He learned their local languages, and he defended the native peoples from exploitation and abuse. He really tried to instill the faith in them by ensuring catechesis was accessible in their own language.
He was a reformer of the Church, because he implemented the reforms of the Council of Trent, and he held provincial councils and synods to renew clergy life. He established seminaries that would address proper priestly formation for candidates. He was a builder of the local Church. He founded churches, schools, and institutions, and he evangelized vast territories with very few resources. He baptized and confirmed future saints like Saint Rose of Lima. He was a bishop who died on mission. He died during a pastoral visitation, not in comfort, but in sacrifice. He literally gave his life in the field for his flock.
Let's look at today's readings for his feast from the Second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy, chapter 1:13–14. “Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me… guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us” (2 Timothy 1:13–14). Toribio guarded the deposit of faith not by staying in Lima, but by going out. The faith is not preserved by hiding it, but by handing it on faithfully. Toribio shows that doctrine and mission are inseparable. He did not dilute the Gospel for the culture; rather, he translated it into the culture.
Saint Paul also says to Timothy, “What you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people” (2 Timothy 2:2). And Toribio was a faithful servant to whom the Church entrusted the mission of evangelization. He formed local clergy and catechists, ensuring the Church would endure. Evangelization, my brothers and sisters, is not about numbers; it's about multiplication. Who are you forming? Who will carry the faith after you? Toribio built a Church that could stand without him.
Saint Paul also encourages Timothy to “bear your share of hardship like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3). Saint Toribio lived this literally. He traveled through harsh terrain, he endured illness, and he worked to the point of exhaustion. The Gospel always carries a cost. Comfort is not the measure of faithfulness. He was a bishop who suffered with his people and never set himself above them.
In the Psalm for today we hear, “Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations” (Psalm 96:3). Toribio embodies this psalm. The Church is missionary by nature, not optional. Every culture is meant to hear the Gospel. He did not wait for people to come. Toribio went to the nations.
In the Gospel, we hear of the people who are described as “sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). This is the key lens to understand Toribio. He saw neglected souls, scattered communities, disorder, disorganization, people without guidance, and he responded like Christ, with compassion that moved him to action. Compassion is not a feeling. It is a mission. Do I see people as Christ sees them?
My dear brothers and sisters, the harvest was abundant in Peru not because there were many people, but because there was one bishop who believed the Gospel was worth walking thousands of miles for. What is the Good News that Jesus gave us worth to us? How far are we willing to go? What risks are we ready to make in terms of believing Jesus, making the leap of faith and trusting his Word in our life? Because when we do, then the fruits will abound, just as they did in the life of Saint Toribio de Mogrovejo.
Through his intercession, may Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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