MIGUEL ZAMORRA, RELIGIOUS - 28 JUNE

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JUNE

Saints celebrated on the 28th of June

SERVANT OF GOD MIGUEL ZAMORRA, RELIGIOUS

Miguel (Michael), Servant of God, surnamed Zamorra, came from an insignificant place in (New) Castile, called Cubas, was born of poor parents, learned the trade of a silk weaver in his youth and went to Mexico. After a few years, through diligence and thrift he managed to acquire a significant fortune.

In his abundance he thought of his poor father at home, who scarcely could afford the bare necessities, and resolved to give him a quiet and carefree old age. 

Upon his arrival, he first he wanted to put him to test, though, and therefore went to his father's house in ragged clothes, almost like a beggar. Although the father was concerned, since those men who had taken the journey to the Indies usually returned home rich people, he showed him every sympathy and had all his relatives get together for a small family celebration. 

The relations reacted quite differently: they called Miguel a fool who would have been better off staying at home because of his slow-wittedness, etc. But after eight days he revealed his happy circumstances to his father and gave him enough money and valuables for the old man to spend the rest of his life without worries and comfortably, while the haughty relatives received nothing, and set off to return to the Indies. 

The experiences he had made at home took away all of his desire and joy in the world. When his wife died, he joined the Dominicans in Mexico. He also took his twelve-year-old son with him. All his remaining wealth he gave to the poor. 

Even at the monastery he could still use his good talents. He provided the city of Oaxaca and his own monastery in Mexico with excellent water pipes and also distinguished himself as a master builder in other respects. But more than that, by his humility and his austere way of life he edified the brothers of the Order. His blessed death occurred on June 28, 1564.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875, pp. 451-52)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations