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May 26 ~ Venerable (Possibly Overachieving) Multilingual Organ Builder
The Venerable Franciscan Priest Joseph Peres, a native of Mexico; son of
Domingo Peres, of recognized nobility, relatives of the Holy Office, and
Lady Isabel de Torres y Gascon; took the habit in the Convent of Puebla,
where he professed on the 7th of January, in the year 1650.
He possessed promptness of wit, perseverance in overcoming difficulties, and
memory for retaining information.
In his spare time, he learned: music; the playing of the organ; and the
Mexican, Otomí, and Mataltzinca languages.
What might have seemed a childish amusement acquired virtuous reputation by
being applied later in the service of God; for he not only instructed
others, but also built by hand a number of organs for Convents and other
beneficiaries.
He directed his fervor in devotion to the Most Blessed Sacraments. He
himself stirred the fire in the lamp, and he always insisted on Castillian
oil, although it was dear.
Gravely ill, and ready to inherit the Credo, he spoke: “Calm thyselves, I
pray to God that I may make a novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe.” Days later
he fulfilled his novena, and from there to the infirmary. On the eve of his
passing, at about two, he took the Holy Christ in his hands and said, “It is
time for us to celebrate thy day”; and, upon playing Vespers, they played
the Credo. He gave his soul to the Redeemer Wednesday the 26th of May, of
the year 1688.
His eyes remained rigidly open, and yet all of his limbs were flexible.
After 24 hours, when his skin was pricked, blood ran as though alive, giving
those present cause to kiss his feet, offering to Our Lord God praises of
glory.
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"Menologio Franciscano"
Fr. Agustin de Vetancurt
tr. Magister Levitatorum
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