ALONSO DE CABRERA. — Celebrated Spanish preacher, born at Córdoba in 1546 into a noble family. Having become a Dominican in Córdoba, he developed his rare gifts of intellect and heart. After serving as a missionary in America, he devoted himself to teaching theology—according to J. Echard—at the University of Osuna. However, his name does not appear in the list of theology professors at that university as compiled by Fr. V. Beltrán de Heredia (La Ciencia Tomista, 26th series, 49 [1934], pp. 145-73). He served as prior in Seville and Granada.
He distinguished himself by his apostolic zeal and all the technical qualities of a great orator; he captivated audiences with his learning and singular eloquence, the purity of his language, and his powerful and pleasing voice. He was heard with applause and profit in Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Valencia, Toledo, Madrid, and elsewhere. For four years he served as court preacher to Philip II and Philip III, yet remained a humble friar. He is regarded as the greatest Spanish preacher of his century. His sermon for the funeral of Philip II, delivered on 31 October 1598 at Santo Domingo el Real (printed in Madrid in 1598 and in Barcelona in 1606), was included in the Catálogo de Autoridades de la Lengua. He died prematurely and was buried on 20 November 1598 in the convent of Santo Tomás in Madrid.
Among the various sermons and writings published by his confreres, the following may be cited: Tratado de los escrúpulos y sus remedios (Valencia 1599; Barcelona 1606; Italian trans., Palermo 1612; French trans., Paris 1622); Consideraciones sobre los Evangelios desde el domingo de Septuagésima hasta el domingo de la octava de Resurrección (2 parts, Córdoba 1601; Barcelona 1602 and 1606) and Sobre los Evangelios del Adviento y dominicas hasta la Septuagésima con las festividades de Santos que ocurren en este tiempo (2 parts, Córdoba 1608; Barcelona 1609 and Zaragoza 1610).