St. Juan Macias, A Humble and Profound Brother

From the earliest days of the Church, countless men and women have sought a deeper freedom in Christ, consecrating their lives entirely to Him. Among these consecrated individuals, the majority have been lay members, and even today, most members of religious institutes are lay brothers or sisters. (1) In the Order of Preachers, Cooperator Brothers (formerly known as lay brothers), like all friars, share fully in the life of their communities, dedicating themselves to prayer, study, and, of course, preaching. (2)

Historically, brothers in clerical institutes were often recognized for their contributions to the domestic needs of their religious houses. However, the Order now embraces a broader and richer understanding of the Cooperator Brother's vocation. (3)

Today, as we celebrate the feast of St. Juan Macías, we remember a humble yet profound example of this vocation. Born in Spain in the late 1500s, just a few decades after the Council of Trent, Juan was named after St. John the Evangelist, with whom he would develop a deep and personal spiritual relationship. Upon losing his parents at a young age, Juanito was taken in by his uncle, who trained him as a shepherd. Despite the simplicity of his life, Juan exhibited a natural piety from a tender age, often praying the Rosary while tending to his sheep.

When Juan was about 20 years old, he encountered the Dominicans and felt a powerful calling to join the Order. However, St. John appeared to him, instructing him to wait, as God had other plans for him at that time.

About ten years later, Juan embarked on a journey to the Americas. He landed in Cartagena, on the northern coast of present-day Colombia, and after four and a half months of travel on foot along the Andes, he entered the city of Lima, just five years after the death of St. Rose. By this time, Lima had become a thriving center of Dominican preaching activity, with four convents already established. Upon hearing of – and perhaps witnessing – the miracles performed by Br. Martín de Porres, Juan once again felt the call to join the Dominicans.

At the age of 37, following the suggestion of his patron saint, Juan asked to be accepted as a Cooperator Brother in the smallest and poorest of the Dominican convents in Lima, St. Mary Magdalene. On the night of his simple profession of vows, he faced intense spiritual warfare; demons tormented him, attacking him bodily. These assaults continued for the next 12 years, with the demons even throwing him from one room to another, inflicting severe pain. Despite these trials, Juan persevered in his vocation with unwavering faith.

Assigned as the assistant to the porter, Juan lived in the gatehouse, where he became known for his tireless service to both the poor and the wealthy. The poor came to him for food, while the rich sought his spiritual direction. It is said that over 200 people would come daily to the gatehouse for help. On occasion, St. John the Evangelist would appear at the Convent to collect alms on Juan's behalf. A popular legend tells of a small donkey that Juan would send around Lima to collect alms. The burro knew the route well, and if the rich failed to donate, it would make a ruckus until they did.

In addition to his service to the poor, Juan was deeply devoted to the Blessed Sacrament and spent his free time teaching the catechism to the poor. Despite his holiness, he was not without adversaries; many in the city spread false accusations against him. Yet, Juan bore these sufferings with patience, offering his rosaries for the souls in purgatory. It is said that he liberated over a million souls from purgatory, many of whom appeared to him in prayer to thank him.

During his lifetime, the people of Lima venerated Juan as a saint. He formed a close friendship with St. Martín de Porres, and the two would often spend their recreation time together, sharing in their love for God and neighbor.

St. Juan Macías died on September 16, 1645, at the age of 60. On the day of his death, Our Lady, St. Dominic, and St. John appeared to a few of the friars, announcing that they had come to accompany Br. Juan Macías’ soul to heaven. His life, marked by humility, service, and profound spiritual experiences, continues to inspire those who seek to live out the radical vocation of a Cooperator Brother in the Order of Preachers.

The historical facts on this article are largely based on the book St. Dominic’s Family by Sister Marie Jean Dorcy, OP.