Simón de Rojas
Encyclopedia
Saint Simón de Rojas O.SS (28 October 1552 – 29 September 1624) was a Spanish priest of the Trinitarian Order known as the "Apostle of the Ave Maria", for his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. A person of many abilities, Simón was a theologian and a spiritual writer, as well as a friend and benefactor of the poor.
, Spain, living a childhood steeped in piety. As a child, Simón was cured of a serious speech impediment through his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His very first words were "Ave Maria", almost forshadowing his life long devotion to the Virgin. At the age of twelve he entered the Trinitarian monastery at Valladolid
and there he made his religious profession on 28 October 1572, the day of his 20th birthday. He then went on to study at the University of Salamanca
from 1573 to 1579, during which time he was ordained a priest in 1577.
at Toledo
from 1581 to 1587. From 1588 until his death he fulfilled the office of superior in various monasteries of his province and was sent as apostolic visitor twice to his own province of Castilla
, and once to that of Andalusia
. His greatest joy was to visit Marian shrines, to pray to Mary and with Mary, to imitate her virtues, to sing her praises, to acknowledge her importance in the mystery of God and of the Church. Through profound theological studies, he came to understand even better the mission of Mary in cooperation with the Trinity
for the salvation of the human race and the sanctification of the Church. He lived his religious vows in the imitation of Mary. He held that, for everyone to be completely of God, as Mary had been, it was necessary to become her slaves, or better, slaves of God in Mary; for this reason he established the Congregation of the Slaves of Mary for the greater glory of the Trinity, in praise of the Virgin, in the service of the poor. For him, to be a slave of Mary meant belonging totally to her: "Totus tuus" in order to unite oneself more intimately to Christ and in Him through the Spirit, to the Father. During this period Father Simón began to serve the Spanish queen, Margaret of Austria, as confessor
. When in 1611 she fell gravely ill following childbirth, becoming comatose, her husband King Philip III
feared that she would be unable to receive the sacraments before dying. Father Simón then came to her bedside. After he had greeted her with the words, “Ave Maria, Senora” (“Hail Mary, my lady”), she instantly became conscious and answered him, “Gratia plena, Padre Rojas” (“Full of grace, Father Rojas”). Father Rojas was thereupon able to administer to her the anointing of the sick
and Viaticum
before she died. On 14 April 1612 he founded the Congregation of the Slaves of the Sweet Name of Mary. In 1619 he was named tutor to the royal princes of Spain and on 12 May 1621 he was elected Provincial of Castilla. These two posts were only accepted by Father Simón on the condition that he be able to continue his work with the poor, and remaining faithful to the Trinitarian
charism. Whilst working in the court Father Simón had thousands of images of the Most Holy Virgin printed with the inscription: "Ave Maria", which he also sent abroad. He had rosaries made with seventy-two blue beads on a white cord, symbols of the Assumption
and the Immaculate Conception
, and also a reminder that Mary, according to the belief of the time, lived to the age of 72 years. He sent these rosaries everywhere, even to England (at that time a Protestant nation). Using his influence at Court, he had the angelic greeting so dear to him, "Ave Maria", engraved in letters of gold on the facade of the royal palace
in Madrid. Later on 1 January 1622 he was chosen confessor
of Queen Isabel of Borbon. On 5 June 1622, he petitioned the Holy See
for the approval of his liturgical text composed in honour of the Sweet Name of Mary, which later,
Pope Innocent XI
extended to the universal Church. He died in Madrid
, on 29 September 1624.
by the Church. His heroic virtues were recognised by Pope Clement XII
, on 25 March 1735. Father Simón was beatified by Pope Clement XIII
on 19 March 1766. On 3 July 1988, just before the close of the Marian Year, he was finally canonised by Pope John Paul II
.
: persons of every social class could join. The members, who included the King and his children, dedicated themselves to honour Mary by giving maternal help to her favourite children: the poor. This work still continues in Spain. St. Simón, who is held to be one of the greatest contemplatives of his time and who in his work, "The Greatness of Prayer" is clearly a great instructor of prayerful souls, wanted the contemplative dimension joined to the active through works of mercy.
Early life
Born 28 October 1552, in ValladolidValladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
, Spain, living a childhood steeped in piety. As a child, Simón was cured of a serious speech impediment through his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His very first words were "Ave Maria", almost forshadowing his life long devotion to the Virgin. At the age of twelve he entered the Trinitarian monastery at Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
and there he made his religious profession on 28 October 1572, the day of his 20th birthday. He then went on to study at the University of Salamanca
University of Salamanca
The University of Salamanca is a Spanish higher education institution, located in the town of Salamanca, west of Madrid. It was founded in 1134 and given the Royal charter of foundation by King Alfonso IX in 1218. It is the oldest founded university in Spain and the third oldest European...
from 1573 to 1579, during which time he was ordained a priest in 1577.
Religious life
Father Simón taught philosophy and theologyTheology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at Toledo
Toledo, Spain
Toledo's Alcázar became renowned in the 19th and 20th centuries as a military academy. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 its garrison was famously besieged by Republican forces.-Economy:...
from 1581 to 1587. From 1588 until his death he fulfilled the office of superior in various monasteries of his province and was sent as apostolic visitor twice to his own province of Castilla
Castile-La Mancha
Castile-La Mancha is an autonomous community of Spain. Castile-La Mancha is bordered by Castile and León, Madrid, Aragon, Valencia, Murcia, Andalusia, and Extremadura. It is one of the most sparsely populated of Spain's autonomous communities...
, and once to that of Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
. His greatest joy was to visit Marian shrines, to pray to Mary and with Mary, to imitate her virtues, to sing her praises, to acknowledge her importance in the mystery of God and of the Church. Through profound theological studies, he came to understand even better the mission of Mary in cooperation with the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
for the salvation of the human race and the sanctification of the Church. He lived his religious vows in the imitation of Mary. He held that, for everyone to be completely of God, as Mary had been, it was necessary to become her slaves, or better, slaves of God in Mary; for this reason he established the Congregation of the Slaves of Mary for the greater glory of the Trinity, in praise of the Virgin, in the service of the poor. For him, to be a slave of Mary meant belonging totally to her: "Totus tuus" in order to unite oneself more intimately to Christ and in Him through the Spirit, to the Father. During this period Father Simón began to serve the Spanish queen, Margaret of Austria, as confessor
Confessor
-Confessor of the Faith:Its oldest use is to indicate a saint who has suffered persecution and torture for the faith, but not to the point of death. The term is still used in this way in the East. In Latin Christianity it has come to signify any saint, as well as those who have been declared...
. When in 1611 she fell gravely ill following childbirth, becoming comatose, her husband King Philip III
Philip III of Spain
Philip III , also known as Philip the Pious, was the King of Spain and King of Portugal and the Algarves, where he ruled as Philip II , from 1598 until his death...
feared that she would be unable to receive the sacraments before dying. Father Simón then came to her bedside. After he had greeted her with the words, “Ave Maria, Senora” (“Hail Mary, my lady”), she instantly became conscious and answered him, “Gratia plena, Padre Rojas” (“Full of grace, Father Rojas”). Father Rojas was thereupon able to administer to her the anointing of the sick
Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick, known also by other names, is distinguished from other forms of religious anointing or "unction" in that it is intended, as its name indicates, for the benefit of a sick person...
and Viaticum
Viaticum
Viaticum is a term used especially in the Roman Catholic Church for the Eucharist administered, with or without anointing of the sick, to a person who is dying, and is thus a part of the last rites...
before she died. On 14 April 1612 he founded the Congregation of the Slaves of the Sweet Name of Mary. In 1619 he was named tutor to the royal princes of Spain and on 12 May 1621 he was elected Provincial of Castilla. These two posts were only accepted by Father Simón on the condition that he be able to continue his work with the poor, and remaining faithful to the Trinitarian
Trinitarian Order
The Order of the Holy Trinity is a Catholic religious order that was founded in the area of Cerfroid, some 80 km northeast of Paris, at the end of the twelfth century. The founder was St. John de Matha, whose feast day is celebrated on 17 December...
charism. Whilst working in the court Father Simón had thousands of images of the Most Holy Virgin printed with the inscription: "Ave Maria", which he also sent abroad. He had rosaries made with seventy-two blue beads on a white cord, symbols of the Assumption
Assumption of Mary
According to the belief of Christians of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and parts of the Anglican Communion and Continuing Anglicanism, the Assumption of Mary was the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her life...
and the Immaculate Conception
Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception of Mary is a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, according to which the Virgin Mary was conceived without any stain of original sin. It is one of the four dogmata in Roman Catholic Mariology...
, and also a reminder that Mary, according to the belief of the time, lived to the age of 72 years. He sent these rosaries everywhere, even to England (at that time a Protestant nation). Using his influence at Court, he had the angelic greeting so dear to him, "Ave Maria", engraved in letters of gold on the facade of the royal palace
Royal Palace of Madrid
The Palacio Real de Madrid is the official residence of the King of Spain in the city of Madrid, but it is only used for state ceremonies. King Juan Carlos and the Royal Family do not reside in the palace, choosing instead the more modest Palacio de la Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid...
in Madrid. Later on 1 January 1622 he was chosen confessor
Confessor
-Confessor of the Faith:Its oldest use is to indicate a saint who has suffered persecution and torture for the faith, but not to the point of death. The term is still used in this way in the East. In Latin Christianity it has come to signify any saint, as well as those who have been declared...
of Queen Isabel of Borbon. On 5 June 1622, he petitioned the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
for the approval of his liturgical text composed in honour of the Sweet Name of Mary, which later,
Pope Innocent XI
Pope Innocent XI
Blessed Pope Innocent XI , born Benedetto Odescalchi, was Pope from 1676 to 1689.-Early life:Benedetto Odescalchi was born at Como in 1611 , the son of a Como nobleman, Livio Odescalchi, and Paola Castelli Giovanelli from Gandino...
extended to the universal Church. He died in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, on 29 September 1624.
After Death
After his death on 29 September 1624, the honours bestowed on him at his funeral, took on the aspect of an anticipated canonisation. For twelve days, the most renowned preachers of Madrid exalted his virtues and his holiness. Impressed with this unanimous veneration, on 8 October 1624, the Papal Nuncio ordered the beginning of the process leading to his beatificationBeatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
by the Church. His heroic virtues were recognised by Pope Clement XII
Pope Clement XII
Pope Clement XII , born Lorenzo Corsini, was Pope from 12 July 1730 to 6 February 1740.Born in Florence, the son of Bartolomeo Corsini, Marquis of Casigliano and his wife Isabella Strozzi, sister of the Duke of Bagnuolo, Corsini had been an aristocratic lawyer and financial manager under preceding...
, on 25 March 1735. Father Simón was beatified by Pope Clement XIII
Pope Clement XIII
Pope Clement XIII , born Carlo della Torre di Rezzonico, was Pope from 16 July 1758 to 2 February 1769....
on 19 March 1766. On 3 July 1988, just before the close of the Marian Year, he was finally canonised by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
.
Legacy
St. Simón is often depicted by painters, with the greeting "Ave Maria" on his lips. The Congregation founded by St. Simón, Congregation of the Slaves of the Sweet Name of Mary (also known as the Congregation of the Slaves of Mary or the Congregation of the Most Holy Name of Mary), was intended for the laityLaity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
: persons of every social class could join. The members, who included the King and his children, dedicated themselves to honour Mary by giving maternal help to her favourite children: the poor. This work still continues in Spain. St. Simón, who is held to be one of the greatest contemplatives of his time and who in his work, "The Greatness of Prayer" is clearly a great instructor of prayerful souls, wanted the contemplative dimension joined to the active through works of mercy.