Martyr St. Cecilia San Juan del Castillo (Jesuits)
born in Belmonte, Spain, on September 14, 1596. His parents, Alonso del Castillo and Maria Rodriguez are among the great and wealthy city. A week after receiving the sacrament of baptism in the Collegiate Church of the villa. As the eldest son is named after the paternal grandfather. After him, the parents have nine children. His sister Jane, Jerome and Judy entered as cloistered nuns in the convent of the Conception Franciscan Belmonte. Don Alonso, the father is the Mayor of the town.
Juan's parents strive to shape it very Christian. From studying young at the College of the Society of Jesus in his hometown. College was founded by St. Francis de Borja. "The Lord be pleased to put people in the company, because I have hope Belmonte particular." The College has more than four hundred students, not only people but also the parts of the region. One of the teachers of John is the P. Boroa Diego who will be later his fellow missionary in the Reductions of Paraguay. The College
known and read like the letters of St. Francis Xavier, the great apostle of the Society of Jesus. Through these letters and under the direction of the Jesuit discernment ago vocations. After studying law at the University of Alcalá, a year, to please their parents. On March 21, 1614 he entered the Society of Jesus in the novitiate in Madrid. Fr Boroa said: "We exercised the most humble and laborious offices of the Company, a cook, baker and gardener." After the novitiate and religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Juan is intended Huete College to begin studies in philosophy. College is another tireless also founded by San Francisco de Borja.
Just started the course of 1616, there listening to Attorney Paraguay and Chile, P. Juan de Viana, who has a mission to bring reinforcements to the West Indies. Attorney father ponders the abundance of American harvest, penalties and hardships of the missionaries and points to the hope of martyrdom. Juan is available. Achieved by his superiors that he change his destiny to Peru for the hardest of Chile and Paraguay. Is accepted. 
On November 2, 1616 starts the journey to America in the great port of Lisbon.
Aboard befriends the young Jesuit Alfonso Rodriguez, Zamora, who also travels in the same issue of missionaries. It is two years younger, but the desires are the same. Among dizziness and storms, between calm and hot, reach the port of Santa María de los Buenos Aires on February 15, 1617. Rest a few days at the College, the need to replenish the forces. The College is modest, but for travelers hosting charity fills them with comfort. From Buenos Aires
two Jesuit students traveling to the city of Córdoba del Tucumán, Colegio Máximo, to finish his studies in philosophy there. It is a weary walk through the vast pampas of Argentina. Loading and books are on carts pulled by oxen and horses they ride. With his friend Alfonso Rodriguez, John watches in amazement, the immensity without horizon. Sometimes, in the distance, he notes, with some excitement and fear, to the plains Indians who feel invaded the territory. learned in the university city of Cordoba, Juan del Castillo is a guy who does not waste time. Not very different in the studies. Health does not look good. The harsh climate of the city it runs more of the account. It has, indeed, better success in the short ministries among the poor of the city and its surroundings. In the silence and prayer, we decided to work in this America that is beginning to love.
In late 1619, at the end of philosophy, is aimed at the city of Concepción, in the neighboring country of Chile. It is the experience of teaching. Perhaps influences higher that the other side of the ridge has a better climate. Juan there will undoubtedly be replaced.
reports superiors do not favor it. Bit laconic expressions say, "It median intelligence and prudence. The experience is short. Progress in the study of philosophy is mediocre. But it is able to teach grammar."
That last is sufficient for teaching in Chile, in the very modest College of Design. Before traveling lengthy conversations with the Jesuit Alonso de Ovalle and Manzano. He is born in Santiago de Chile and is now studying in the city of Cordoba. Ovalle knows the landscape, customs and people of your country. Juan Alonso through, start to love that last corner of the earth.
few days rest the travelers in the city of Mendoza, at the residence and the small college of the Company. Already in Chile, which begins in the provinces of Cuyo. But John and the other Jesuits who travel to Santiago seem eager to continue and cross the imposing mountain range.
Crossing the high Andes, they do it by mule and on foot, between hills and huge cliffs. The trail is on the steep hillside, so narrow that barely fits the mule. One of the beasts steps wrong and falls with its cargo into the river that runs deep. It's a terrifying noise. John's admiration seems endless. His eyes, restless, walk, one by one, the scenery. Thank God those snow-capped heights, these breaks sound of waterfalls, rushing rivers.
Coming down from the peaks, travelers began to visit the valley of Aconcagua. Some Fathers of the College have come to receive them. Juan wonders of farmers so quiet, its fields and fruit. It will be a beautiful experience of the teachers in Chile. Santiago, the capital of Chile, receives smiling. The Great College San Miguel, so close to the cathedral, is now his home. Chilean Jesuit insist. You need rest, to know the surroundings and prepare for the long journey south. The young Jesuit does not tire of thanking God for the love of his brothers.
| The Jesuits have arrived in Chile in 1593. From the beginning educated in the capital and are missionaries. The Mapuche Indians are preferred. The catechize around and make excursions to the south. Learn the language and catechists down the name of "tax" to ensure the fruit.
From 1608 form a separate province with jurisdiction in Chile, Buenos Aires, Tucuman and Paraguay. The provincial Father Pedro de Torres Bollo lives in Santiago, but the province has the name of Paraguay. The novitiate, which was in the beginning in Santiago, is now in the city of Cordoba. | | That same year held the first congregation in Santiago province. The Jesuits are very pleased with the results. His decrees are remarkable, especially with regard to the Indians, the abolition of slavery, the abolition of personal service and how to evangelize.
Juan listens. It admires the early missions in Arauco and Chiloe in the south. It feels good with those new friends. With young Jesuits through the city and surrounding areas. A month later, little more than less, begins its journey south. To the city of Concepción are another 500 miles. What is it normal horse and in stages. The road is bad, but there is in, l the danger of Indians in war. The struggle between the English and the Mapuche, is developed south of Concepción. The city lies on the sea, in a quiet bay in the port of Penco. It's stronghold on the border. This is the cause of why it lives in the Governor of the Kingdom. Concepcion's College. Is very recent. He has founded the famous Jesuit Father Luis de Valdivia six years ago, in 1614. Juan Arriving at your destination all seems calm. The outstanding principal Father Juan Romero embraces him warmly. The first mission, which gives the newcomer, is rest. Community Evenings are welcome. The weather, the soft murmur of the sea, evergreen hillocks, rivers and people, help peace and prayer.
A few days later I get the full story of the martyrs of Elicura. Three Jesuits, obedience, went into the land of the Mapuche. The war seemed over. Only defensive war is allowed. | That was the best achievement and the glory of the Father Luis de Valdivia, the founder of the College. Parents Martin de Aranda Valdivia, Horatio Vecchi and Brother Diego de Montalban were chosen for the difficult mission of preaching the Gospel among the Mapuche. The first is Chile's second and third Italian, English or Mexican. The Superior choose because they have distinguished themselves as the best advocates for the rights of the Mapuche people, women and peace. The three decide to go without weapons, only the cross.
Martin was born further south, in Villarrica, in the shadow of a volcano that still smokes. It began in the arms race almost as a child. | In his youth, Martin comes to the master and the Viceroy of Peru sends it as Mayor of Riobamba in Ecuador. The reports of the soldiers are, therefore, excellent. In one of his trips to Lima, because of his position, he decides to make the Spiritual Exercises of the founder of the Jesuits. After finishing, he entered the Society of Jesus in the City of Kings. Martin has thirty-two years. In Lima, too, he was ordained priest. Martin returns to Chile in 1607, the creation of the Province of Paraguay, separate from Peru. Horacio
Vecchi is an Italian who also arrived in Chile in 1607. It is also a priest.
Diego de Montalban is a soldier. Entered the Society of Jesus in Chile. At the time of his death is still a novice. Juan
Castillo is imposed on the outcome of that mission in obedience. A chief discontent, Ancanamón, have been killed in the small valley Elicura, on December 14, 1612. The cause of martyrdom is well known. Martin de Aranda, Horacio Vecchi and Diego de Montalban defended the rights of two English women, captives, who were defending their religion.
The remains of these martyrs are in school. John's worships.
In 1626 John and his friend Alfonso Rodriguez are the new foundations for the Uruguay River.
has prayed to God, has begged both superiors. At one point had been afraid that his poor health could be an obstacle. It has been prepared, too, in the Guarani language. Cordoba free time has been for the language of Paraguay. The hard life of the missionary is not afraid.
The trial of Father Diego de Boroa is excellent: "Their fervor is great, its observance is complete. His zeal is manifested in the determination to learn the Guarani language. His kindness and gentleness all excited. Is kind, generous and pure, kind of God and men. "
After the martyrdom of Fathers Roque Gonzalez and Alfonso Rodriguez in the Reduction of All Saints in Caar, chiefs ¥ EZU fans present, the next day, the Assumption of Reduction Yjuhí.
's three in the afternoon. John is at the door of his hut praying the breviary. What tells you the book? asked. John replies, "Nothing, I'm praying." They say: "Here we bring these Indians strangers to give them hooks."
The narrative of the events belonging to an eyewitness, Pablo Arayú. Makes with an oath,
"Asked if this was found when they seized and arrested the father, yes. Asked if he was present when he was killed, yes, he saw when he was dragged and killed him in the mud.
enrolling Father was a chief named Chetihagu, and its people and gave them hooks and pins. Then the old chief sent Quarabí a chief, called Araguirá, which rammed the Father. He did. She hugged him from behind and twisted his arms. So they dragged him into the forest. He tore the clothes, only left half and the sleeves on his arms.
An Indian, called Mirungá, knocked him down on the ground. They put two ropes on the wrists and dragged through the woods. Puzzled arm. Another Indian, called TACANDE, with a stone hammer hit him several times in the stomach. Dragging followed up a quagmire. He was all torn, drawn blood.
There he smashed with a big stone head. After the bones broke and left him saying to let him be eaten by tigers. He was not with those who burned the body, when they returned in the morning.
Asked what he did and said the father when he caught and killed, he replied: When you took him, did get loose power. He said: Children, what, what's this? While they were seized, he called friends in his favor. When they dragged him heard him say: Oh, Jesus! And other words in their language not understood. When I broke the clothing requested that it be taken out slowly.
then entered his house and church. Shared among them the little things. The vestments were taken to ¥ EZU.
This account is consistent with that of five other witnesses on oath, all present.
Jesuit John divided his life almost equally: three years in Spain, six in Tucuman, Cordoba two equal steps, three in Chile and almost three in Uruguay
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On November 2, 1616 starts the journey to America in the great port of Lisbon. 
Crossing the high Andes, they do it by mule and on foot, between hills and huge cliffs. The trail is on the steep hillside, so narrow that barely fits the mule. One of the beasts steps wrong and falls with its cargo into the river that runs deep. It's a terrifying noise. 
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