Toribio de Benavente Motolinia

(1482 - 1568)

Born in Benavente, Spain, Toribio de Benavente Motolinia was among the first dozen Franciscans to arrive in Mexico, where he became an advocate for the indigenous people. “Whatever was given to him,” wrote Bernal Díaz del Castillo, “he gave to the Indians, and sometimes was left without food.”