San Pedro

Is it a hospital or a church? The San Pedro in Antigua, Guatemala, has been both. It began as a humble thatched hut in the early 1600s. A Franciscan priest, Hermano Pedro Betancourt, founded this first hospital. He tended to the poor, sick, and abandoned. He would often carry them from the streets to his makeshift hospital. He wore the same rags as those he served. His selfless dedication became legendary. The San Pedro continued to evolve. In 1663, Dominican friars established a more permanent hospital. Over the centuries, earthquakes ravaged Antigua. The San Pedro suffered damage and was rebuilt many times. Capuchin nuns took over in the 1800s, making further improvements. Later, the Charity Sisters of San Vicente de Paul continued the legacy of care. In 1984, inspired by Hermano Pedro, Franciscan priest Guillermo Bonilla revived the San Pedro after the devastating 1974 earthquake. Today, the San Pedro complex serves hundreds of residents, from infants to the elderly. It offers a home for orphans, the chronically ill, and the mentally challenged. It has a school for handicapped children and a nutrition center for the malnourished. There’s also a medical and dental clinic, a pharmacy, and a physical therapy department. The San Pedro also hosts medical missions, with visiting doctors and nurses performing surgeries throughout the year. The spirit of Hermano Pedro lives on in the San Pedro. This Franciscan tradition of service relies entirely on the generosity of donations. While Hermano Pedro rests in the nearby San Francisco Church, his legacy continues to provide care and comfort to those in need at San Pedro.