RELATION OF THE LIFE, DEATH AND honors of the sacred religions of this town of Madrid, have made the Reverend Father Master Fray Simon de Rojas, confessor of the Queen, our lady.

Place:Unknown
Year: Not specified
Event:Vida religiosa, Religious life

Composed by Don Juan de la Red.

The most reverend Father Master Fray Simón de Rojas, as was well known, was considered a saint because of his heroic virtues and exemplary life that worthily deserved such a name because in all of it he kept great abstinence, humility and obedience, he restrained his flesh with all kinds of disciplines, fasts and silences* he kept away from himself all the bad thoughts of the world and did other memorable things that time will discover.

The love that everyone had for him was immense, all due to the pleasant and affable face that he showed in common with everyone, who never spoke to anyone except peacefully and with much laughter, born of the goodness and quietness of his soul, he was esteemed and loved by everyone, especially by all the ladies of this court, who all had him for their relief, calling him in their illnesses to tell them gospels and commend their health to Our Lord, and through his intercession many got better and received many favors from the hand of God.

He was the refuge and consolation of the poor, of whom he was very dear because he helped, favored and remedied everyone in whatever way he could, interceding for them with many lords, who, through his house, were able to help them.

They brought many children to him, whom he received with great pleasure and told them the Holy Gospels, speaking to them as if he were talking to people of discourse.

He was very devoted to the sovereign name of Mary, venerating and revering her with particular fondness and never took her out of his mouth, nor spoke to anyone who did not first say Ave Maria, which was his customary salutation and for his devotion he made white rosaries with blue cords, in memory of the most pure Conception of Our Lady, and he said mass with them, distributing them to the devotees, and this sacred devotion spread so much that there was no person in Madrid who did not have his rosary of Father Rojas, praying in it with particular care, from which great benefit to souls has followed, extolling the sovereign mystery of the rosary of the Queen of the Angels and not only remains in Madrid, but throughout the Kingdom of Castile.

When he was already 70 years old, Our Lord wanted to take him to rest, giving him the deserved reward for his excellent virtues and thus gave him such a short illness that in two days he left earthly life for eternal life and exchanged his human labors for divine labors. He died on Sunday, September 29, of which there was equal sentiment and universal exclamation, because everyone lost shelter, comfort and refuge and will always have in memory such a great loss, showing regret and disgust, although well considered they had to be comforted to see him now at rest, removed from the dangers of this miserable world.

They took him down from his cell and placed him in a chapter that is in the cloister and there he remained for half a day, and there was such a multitude of people who came to see him, that with the presence of guards they could not help themselves, everyone gave their rosaries to touch them on his blessed body.

His burial was the following Monday, which was done with great honor and solemnity with the office and mass being celebrated by the illustrious Lord Don Diego de Guzmán, patriarch of the Indies, commissioner of the Holy Crusade, almoner and major chaplain of His Majesty. The body was not placed in the burial of the other friars, but in a niche in the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies, where he always said mass, as well as differences so excellent man, as to give something to please the vulgar, that for his consolation he wished to be some days patent.

The sacred religions of this illustrious town of Madrid wanted to honor this exemplary man by offering (because of his antiquity) mass and sermon, and they began in this order.

Tuesday, the first day, the honors of the sacred and grave religion of San Benito and preached the most reverend Father Fray Antonio Perez, master of the university of Salamanca and general who has been of his religion.

Wednesday following, did the honors of the sacred religion of St. Dominic, Order of preachers and preached the master father Fray Cristobal de Torres, preacher of his Majesty.

Thursday, the religion of the Seraphic Father San Francisco and preached the Father Fray Pedro de Tebar, major preacher of his convent.

Friday, the religion of the doctor of the Church San Agustín and preached Father Fray Pedro de Figueroa, major preacher of his convent.

Saturday, it was the religion of Our Lady of Carmen and because it was the day of Mother Teresa of Jesus, they exchanged with the Barefoot Fathers of the Most Holy Trinity and Father Fray Esteban de la Concepción preached.

Sunday, the religion of Our Lady of Mercy and Father Maestro Buyl preached.

Monday, the religion of the Fathers of the Victory and preached by Father.

Father Master Fray Lucas de Montoya preached.

Tuesday, the religion of the Society of Jesus and preached the most reverend Father Geronimo de Florencia, preacher of his Majesty and confessor of the most serene infants, Charles and Ferdinand.

Wednesday, the religion of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, preached by Father Master Herrera.

Thursday, the Congregation of the Slaves of the Ave Maria founded by the Most Reverend Father Fray Simon de las Rojas and preached by Dr. Francisco Sanchez, preacher and chaplain of His Majesty.

The religion of the Holy Trinity, having given first place to the other religions, celebrated the honors of his father and preached Father Master Fray Hortensia Feliz Paravesino, preacher of His Majesty, provincial who was of this province of Castile, general visitor of Andalusia and twice minister of this convent.

Saturday also celebrated honors the Clerecía* and preached the doctor Zamora, priest of San Ginés and said mass Mr. Diego Vela, vicar of this town of Madrid and elected bishop of Lugo, with which it was given end.

Licensed in Madrid, by Diego Flamenco, year 1624.

To see the Spanish version, modernized and transcribed, click here.

To see the French translation, click here.