Garabito, Juan de Santiago y León
GARABITO, JUAN DE SANTIAGO Y LEÓN
Bishop of Guadalajara, Mexico; b. Palma, Andalucia, Spain, July 13, 1641; d. Guadalajara, July 11, 1694. He was a member of a distinguished Spanish family related to St. peter of alcÁntara. He received a doctorate in theology from Salamanca and held various ecclesiastical offices, including positions as preacher to Charles II, preaching canon of the cathedral of Badajoz, visitor general of the diocese, and censor of the Holy Office. In 1676 he was named bishop of Puerto Rico and in the following year was nominated to the See of Guadalajara. He took possession of the diocese on Jan. 7, 1678, and was consecrated in Puebla on May 22. Garabito is considered one of the most distinguished bishops of Guadalajara. Although the diocese gave him a rich annual rent of 17,000 pesos, he set aside about two-thirds of it for the needy and lived in relative poverty himself. Zealous in his care for souls, he acquired a wide reputation for sanctity. He introduced the Oratorians into his diocese. He fostered devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially to the Virgin of Guadalupe and the Virgin of Zapopan. He insisted that all priests in the diocese be instructed in Nahuatl so that they could better serve the people.
Bibliography: j. i. p. dÁvila garibi, Apuntes para la historia de la iglesia en Guadalajara (Mexico City 1957, 1961).
[e. j. goodman]