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In honor of all those who, after a lifetime of good work, find themselves
let out to pasture; the example of:
The Venerable Franciscan Brother Juan Clemente, a native of the
Archbishopric of Bruges.
He was novice under the Most Illustrious Father Ignacio de Santivañes,
Archbishop of Manila, who considered him a villager of rudimentary
understanding, for it cost the Lord Archbishop great effort to teach him his
prayers. But sincerity and mental prayer worked their grace of perseverance;
and with virtuous industry, and a desire for greater opportunities, he fled
his relatives and entered the Convent of Abrojo, from which he came to the
Mission of the Holy Gospel, as part of the mission of 1573.
The Venerable Priest Geronimo de Mendieta [see May 9th], who knew Fray Juan
Clemente’s virtue, said that: in prayer, obedience, poverty, and chastity,
he shone among all the others like the Sun among the Stars.
In 1577 he passed on to the Philippines with the Founders of the Holy
Province of St. Gregory. As he was inclined to the healing ministry, he
procured the building of a house of cane, near the Convent, where he treated
the sick. In a few years it became a Hospital of stone, with three
dormitories… where he received all classes of people: Japanese, Chinese,
Slaves, Gentiles, and Christians. The Gentiles converted and asked for
Baptism, becoming healthy in body and pure in spirit. His Majesty ordered
help with the rent; and Pope Sixto V named it the Hospital of Santa Ana, and
granted Jubilee to all who visit it and give alms.
Two years before his death, God rewarded his charity with an abundant
gentleness of spirit. God carried his heart in such a gentle light, he no
longer understood himself. Finding himself so beside himself, he would
transform himself into the Creator, and thus, with each step, levitate in
mental ecstasy. He requested a companion for his old age, and with license
of the Prelate, he would go out into the field among the Hospital’s cows, to
give himself over to the contemplation of Heaven with greater freedom.
He gave his soul to the Creator the 11th of May, in the year 1598. He was
buried in the Convent of Manila and honored by the entire City; so many
desired relics of his habit, that he was buried almost nude; those who
succeeded were content, and considered themselves wealthy.
"Menologio Franciscano"
Fr. Agustin de Vetancurt
tr. Magister Levitatorum
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