St. Juan Macias

Feast Day: September 18

Juan Macias was born at Ribera in Estramadura, Spain in 1585 of a noble but impoverished family. Orphaned in early childhood, Juan worked as a shepherd for his relatives, an occupation which provided him time for prayer.

Inspired by a vision he left his native country and set sail for the Americas, arriving finally in Lima, Peru, where for a time he tended the sheep of a wealthy Spaniard. In 1623 he decided to enter the Order at the priory of Saint Mary Magdalene in Lima, where he served as porter for twenty-two years.

Like his friend Saint Martin de Porres, he was known for his love and care for the poor and for his special devotion to the rosary. He died on September 16, 1645.