OROZCO, ALFONSO de, Blessed. - Augustinian, ascetical writer, b. at Oropesa (Toledo) on 17 Oct. 1500, d. at Madrid on 19 Sept. 1591. From 1530 to 1554 he was superior at Soria, Medina, Seville, Granada, and Valladolid; preacher to Carlo V from 1554 and subsequently to Filippo II. His intense apostolate won him, among 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: Fergel 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).