BL. JOSÉ MARÍA RUBIO Y PERALTA, PRIEST - 2 MAY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY

Saints celebrated on the 2nd of May

WELCOME!

BLESSED JOSÉ MARÍA RUBIO Y PERALTA, PRIEST 

Blessed José María Rubio was born on July 22, 1864 in Dalías, Spain. His parents were farmers. In 1875, began secondary school in Almería.

HE WAS ORDAINED A PRIEST IN 1887

As José María felt called to become a priest, he transferred to the diocesan seminary in 1876 to continue his academic pursuits. In 1878 he moved to the major seminary of Granada, where over the years he completed studies in philosophy, theology and canon law. On September 24, 1887 he was ordained a priest.

HIS DUTIES

At this time, he also felt called to become a Jesuit, but since he was impeded by circumstances - he took care of an elderly priest who needed assistance - he could not fulfil this wish for 19 years.

In the years after his ordination, Fr Rubio was also busy as a vice-parish priest in Chinchón and then as parish priest in Estremera. In 1890, the Bishop called him to Madrid, where he was given the responsibility of synodal examiner. He also taught metaphysics, Latin and pastoral theology at the seminary in Madrid and was chaplain to the nuns of St Bernard.

HE ENTERED THE JESUIT NOVITIATE

In 1906, after a pilgrimage to the Holy Land the previous year, he entered the Jesuit novitiate in Granada. On October 12, 1908 he made his religious profession.

"THE APOSTLE OF MADRID"

Fr Rubio was exemplary in his pastoral ministry, sustained and nurtured by his profound spiritual life. The Bishop of Madrid called him "The Apostle of Madrid", and the faithful sought him out from the early morning hours for confession and to receive spiritual direction.

He was known for his incisive, simple preaching that moved many to conversion. He also had particular devotion to the poor, always providing them with the material and spiritual assistance they needed.

TUITION-FREE SCHOOLS

Through his preaching and spiritual direction, Fr Rubio was also able to attract and guide many lay people who wanted to live their Christian faith authentically and assist him in the mission of helping the poor. Under his guidance, they opened tuition-free schools which offered academic formation as well as instruction in various trades. They also assisted the sick and disabled and tried to find work for the unemployed.

THE POOR MUST BE HELPED BOTH SPIRITUALLY AND MATERIALLY

Fr Rubio also organized popular missions and spiritual exercises in the poorest zones of the city, because he believed the poor must be helped fully, both spiritually and materially, and that they must be encouraged and loved for who they are - for their own human dignity.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER

The most important aspect of the apostolate for Fr Rubio was prayer; adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was the centre of his entire life. The love of Christ was what Fr Rubio wanted to give to the poor. For him and his collaborators, prayer came first, and it was through this intense prayer life that they received the strength to minister in the poorest and most abandoned areas of Madrid and to assist the people spiritually.

HIS BEATIFICATION

Fr José María Rubio died on May 2, 1929 in Aranjuez. He was beatified by John Paul II on October 6, 1985.

(From a homily of Pope John Paul II - from vatican.va -https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20030504_rubio-peralta_en.html)

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of the blessed José María may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.