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.
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. 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.
| 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. | |||
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.
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