XAVIERRE, GIROLAMO. – Master General of the Friars Preachers, cardinal, b. c. 1546 at Saragossa, d. 2 Sept. 1608 at Valladolid, buried in the convent of Saragossa.
He taught for 14 years in the studium of Saragossa. He enjoyed fame as a preacher throughout Spain. At the General Chapter in Rome he was elected (6 Aug. 1601) Master General of the Order. He chose excellent collaborators (for procurator general the Venerable Marco of Marcianise), decreed that in all provinces there should be one or more convents of strict observance; he took an interest in the history of the Order, presided over the General Chapter at Valladolid in 1605, leaving in Rome (whither he did not return) as vicar general Fr. Ystella. Having become confessor to Philip III, at the King’s proposal he was created cardinal by Paul V in 1607, thus relinquishing the office of Master General.