LUIGI BELTRÁN (BERTRAND), saint. – Dominican, born in Valencia on 1 January 1526, died there on 9 October 1581. He entered religious life in his native city in 1544 (26 August), was ordained a priest in 1547 (23 October), and was master of novices (now their patron) in Valencia (1545–51), then, during the plague, vicar at Albaida (1551–60), and thereafter once again master of novices (1560–62).
Having learned of the miserable condition of the Indians, exploited by the Spanish conquerors, he wished to depart as a missionary. He fulfilled his apostolic desire by reaching Nova Granada (Colombia) in 1562, of which he was to become the apostle. For seven years he laboured in Columbia and travelled as far as the Lesser Antilles, devoting himself to the defence and conversion of the indigenous peoples. He baptized many thousands of Indians. But after seven years of preaching, rich in miracles, unable to endure any longer the abuses of Spanish rule, he returned to Spain (18 October 1569). He was prior at S. Onofrio (1570–73), then once again master of novices (1574–75), and finally prior in Valencia (1575–78). Greatly devoted to penance, he mortified his body, preached with great zeal, and performed miracles during his lifetime. He was beatified by Paul V (29 July 1608) and canonized by Clement X (12 April 1671). Feast day: 10 October.