1576-1628
San Roque González de Santa Cruz
Jesuit, founder of missions, Paraguay's first saint
What it is
Born in Asunción, he founded several missions, among them Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación de Itapúa (1615), which moved in 1621 to the Paraguayan bank of the river, where Encarnación stands today. He was martyred at Caaró (now in Brazil) in 1628. John Paul II canonized him in Asunción in 1988.
People
Verified · sep 2026
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with — sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.