Compassionate Shepherd "Comfort. Give comfort to my people, says your GOD. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care." Isaiah 40:1&11 Word origins suggest the conversion of Juan de Arcas Sanchez led him to take the name "John of the Messiah", using the Judeo-Spanish Sephardic spelling, or possibly "John Matthew". Though uncertain, what IS clear is that Saint Juan Macias' life evidences a man whose life was truly shaped by the Hand of GOD and formed as a humble and loving shepherd of all His people. This man, an example of Jesus' everlasting love and a brother of us in Christ, has given testimony in his life, struggles, joys and ministry. Juan Macias was born in Ribera de Fresno, Spain in the year 1585 and orphaned at the age of four. Adopted by his uncle, Juan began tending sheep for him early in his youth. Like many throughout Holy Scripture, this vocation as shepherd would be a path for Juan's service to GOD and neighbour in the New World: as an evangelist, servant of the poor and counselor of the faithful. Pilgrim and Visionary The Holy Spirit will fall upon those committed to serving the Lord "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21 It is in like manner that the young Juan knew he would eventually follow the Lord to what is now Lima, Peru in South America. He often experienced visions from brothers and sisters in the Communion of Saints, most significantly and frequently being St. John the Beloved. When Juan Macias was twenty years old, he attended Holy Mass in the Dominican church of a neighboring city. He felt a dual call in his heart toward a vocation with the Friars Preachers and a journey southward to sail "for distant lands." In 1619 he embarked for the West Indies and New Spain. After a long, stormy transatlantic crossing, Juan reached Lima, Peru after travelling through what is now Colombia and Ecuador. For two years he shared life and faith with shepherds in the green foothills of the snow-capped Andes. Despite the freedom and peace of a pastoral existence, Juan continued to feel the call to Dominican vocation, in the service of GOD and fellow man. |
Servant of the Gospel "Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food in the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so" Matthew 24:45-46 At the time in Lima, there were four Dominican houses. Juan chose to enter the most humble home of the Priory St. Mary Magdalen. In 1622, he renounced even his spartan shepherd existence, for the vows and habit of a Dominican lay brother. Living in Christian community, with a regular liturgical (communal) prayer life, a sacramental focus, and time for labor, leisure and personal encounters with the Most High, Juan Macias found peace in an existence focused solely on living out the Gospel call of Jesus Christ in a unique way. He did not discern a vocation to the priesthood, yet (like his co- brother St. Martin de Porres) found ways to serve Christ in the service of his fellow Dominicans, in the faithful seeking encouragement at the Home, and actively ministering to the poor brothers and sisters of the surrounding communities. Active Contemplative “‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me." Revelations 3:20 Juan was appointed assistant to the porter and lived in the gatehouse of the Dominican Home. Despite his desire to spend his days in contemplative and intercessory prayer for the world, it was there at the door between cloister and community that Juan encountered Christ in a special way. Hungry and impoverished persons came begging for food and dignity, while their well-off neighbours came hungering for the encouragement, counsel and wisdom of GOD's word. It was here that Juan Macias was able to encounter "Christ in distressing disguise" and feed brothers and sisters not only earthly food, but also the Love of GOD for which we all hunger. Rising at 4 A.M., Juan Macias would prepare and serve meals to more than two hundred people daily. He would send his donkey to various parts of the city loaded with two large hampers of food, clothing and medicine, enabling the poor to take what they needed. It is this compassionate stewardship, filled with the love and justice of GOD, that brought Juan peace, purpose and fulfillment. As years past, Juan Macias continued to serve Lima as the porter of the Dominican House, and touched many lives. |
Merciful Worker and Hospitable Missioner "My brothers, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, 'Sit here, please,' while you say to the poor one, 'Stand there,' or 'Sit at my feet,' have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? Listen, my beloved brothers. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? But you dishonored the poor person. Are not the rich oppressing you? And do they themselves not haul you off to court? Is it not they who blaspheme the noble name that was invoked over you? However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing well." James 2:1-8 At the age of 60, after 40 years as a servant of the Gospel in the New World, Brother Juan Macias passed away of natural causes. With a life of unobtrusive service and sincerity of heart, Juan Macias was an example to all who knew him of the Life and Love flowing from Jesus Christ. Example of Loving Pastoral Care "Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?' And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:34-40 He was beatified in 1837 and cannonized in 1975, 13 years after his friend and brother St. Martin de Porres was officially named a saint. One miracle attributed to Saint Juan Macias is the multiplication of rice that was able to feed an entire impoverished community. It is in the spirit of his life, prayer, service and miracles that Juan Macias is the Patron of Poor Souls, and an example for all men and women seeking to be a healing and counselling part of the Body of Christ. May the Love of Jesus Christ and the example of Juan Macias' pastoral care for others, change our lives. -collaboration of Mark Silla and Adrian Britton |
St. Juan
Macias
Macias
Born 3/2/1585
Died 9/16/1645
Feast 9/18
Died 9/16/1645
Feast 9/18