Sep 18 John de Massias b. 1585 d. 9/16/1645 b. 1837 c. 1975

Thommy and John

Good morning
I love you

September 18
John de Massias b. 1585 d. 9/16/1645 b. 1837 c. 1975

Our friends the Dominicans, I’m sure have a greater biography of this Dominican monk than Angels and Saints on line provides – and I didn’t find anything substantially additive on other sites via google.

But, his name does pop up next to
Martin De Porres and Rose of Lima
Although they do not show up in his bios.

Famous people I have known. An entertaining parlor game or social snobbery. And we each have our list – especially with a very broad definition of ‘known’. For example, Micky Stunkard. I read much of this man’s work in my psychology studies. Then, one morning, at the kitchen table in a Jesuit house in Boston, who’s there eating cornflakes and bananas and skim milk? I distinguished gentleman, short cropped grey hair, about six foot something, slender, soft spoken. I didn’t know the guy. I assumed he was a Jesuit, probably a priest teaching at any number of universities in the area. Nope. Not a priest. Not a Jesuit. Another visiting pilgrim just like me. But “Micky”, as he introduced himself, was a “researcher” there in Boston to collaborate with some folks at Harvard. A famous researcher in obesity…. I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that this man has no memory of our encounter and wouldn’t know my name even with lots of clues. I’d like to say that I “knew” him – he was there a few days and we had more than a breakfast together. I know his writings. And I know something of the man.

Who in your life would you choose to have said in their bio that they knew you? Are they people of the caliber of Martin de Porres or Rose of Lima? That’s the level of people to aspire to be known by. Who do you put on your list of famous people you know? Met? Shook his hand? Saw live and in person, even if he were on a stage thousands of people away? Each list says a lot about who you are….

But I digress – primarily because I’m got an advanced stage of ADHD or maybe it’s just dementia sinking in or some other psychiatric illness that steers me off course.

John de Massias. Born in Ribera, Spain to a pious and impoverished noble family. You were born in Nashville TN and really born at the baptismal font at St Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in NYC – remember when you go to baptize your children, that font is a family tradition [and it’s a parish led by Jesuits….]. …. And you were born into a not so noble family. At the time, it was a family, we thought. By dollar income, in the top five percent. A mixed marriage – religion, geography, collective unconscious. Maybe it was hubris that made us believe we could fashion a family ourselves from out of our passions and our differences.

John de massias was orphaned at a young age. Your mother and I made plans that she said she agreed to just in case you were orphaned. Fortunately, you weren’t orphaned. Unfortunately, your parents didn’t keep their promises qua spouses nor as parents – maybe worse than being orphaned. But it is what it is. And you have risen so far to this point in your lives – using only one ore in the water but paddling along….

John de Massias went to Peru to work on a cattle ranch. Hey, an orphan, no legacy except faith and his talents and almost no resources. So he hired himself out to whomever would give him work and the opportunity for three squares and a roof over his head.

In Lima, John de Massias joined the Dominicans as a lay brother. He is known for his life long dedication to is community and all who came to visit them as their porter – i.e., door keeper. The man between the Dominican monks and the outside world. John de Massias cared for all the poor of Lima

Cattleman. Porter. The dignity of work is inherent in the work and the faith with which you do it. Any work done right, to your best, infused with your gifts of grace – is honorable work.

John de Massias is known for his austerities, miracles, and visions. John de Massias is also known for his constant praying of the rosary, offering his prayers for the repose of the souls in purgatory. And how will you be known? Whom have you served – the poor, the souls in purgatory, …? Imagine how this poor porter, in Lima Peru, became known – to his community, in his city, and now throughout the ages…. How will you make your mark?

Maybe they’ll let me tend the front door….

I love you
Dad