ALFONSO de OROZCO, Blessed. — Augustinian, ascetical writer, born at Oropesa (Toledo) on 17 Oct. 1500, died at Madrid on 19 Sept. 1591. From 1530 to 1554 he was superior at Soria, Medina, Seville, Granada and Valladolid; preacher to Charles V from 1554 and later to Philip II. His intense apostolate earned him, in the eyes of the king and the people, a reputation for sanctity because of his zeal, penitential life and works of charity.
He wrote many works in classical Castilian prose; worthy of mention are: Vergel de oración y monte de contemplación (Seville 1544); Desposorio espiritual (ibid. 1551); Regimiento del alma (Valladolid 1551); Las siete palabras de la Virgen (ibid. 1556); Victoria del mundo (ibid. 1565); Arte de amar a Dios y al próximo (ibid. 1568); De la suavidad de Dios (ibid. 1576); La corona de N. Señora (ibid. 1588); etc. In Latin: Bonum certamen (ibid. 1562); Regalis institutio (Alcalá 1565).