Saint Juan García Lópezrico, also known as Giovanni Battista della Concezione, Giovanni Garcia Xixon, John Baptist de la Concepción Garcia, John Baptist of the Conception, Juan Bautista Rico, Juan Bautista de la Concepción, Juan García Gijón, Juan García Xixón, and Juan Rico, was born on July 10, 1561, in Almodóvar del Campo, Ciudad Real, Spain. He was the fifth of eight children born to Xixón and Isabel García Marcos López-Rico. Out of his siblings, three also entered religious orders. From a young age, Juan exhibited a strong desire to follow the example of the saints. He was so drawn to asceticism that he nearly starved himself and endangered his own health. At the age of 15, he had the opportunity to meet Saint Teresa of Avila, which further fueled his fascination with the Carmelites. This encounter left a deep impression on Juan and influenced his spiritual journey. Juan pursued his religious studies with the Carmelites in Almodóvar, Spain. He then continued his education in seminaries located in Baeza and Toledo. His dedication and academic pursuits led him to join the Trinitarians on June 28, 1580. He made his profession as a Trinitarian on June 29, 1581, firmly committing himself to the religious order. After being ordained to the priesthood in 1585, Juan began to contribute actively to the Trinitarian Order. On August 20, 1599, he received approval from Pope Clement VIII to initiate a reformation of the Trinitarians. Inspired by Saint Teresa of Avila and the original Rule of the Order, which mandated six hours of prayer daily, Juan based his efforts on these principles. As part of his reformation efforts, Juan dedicated himself to reforming existing Trinitarian houses and founded additional monasteries that followed the invigorated form of prayer. He also proved to be a prolific writer on theology, enriching the faith of both the Trinitarians and the wider Catholic community. Saint Juan García Lópezrico died on February 14, 1613, in Córdoba, Spain, from nephritis, a condition that affects the kidneys. His virtuous life and contributions to the Trinitarian Order were recognized and honored. On August 10, 1760, Pope Clement XIII declared his heroic virtues, marking the start of his veneration. Later, on September 21, 1819, Pope Pius VII beatified Juan García Lópezrico, acknowledging his holiness and the miracles attributed to him. Finally, on May 25, 1975, Pope Paul VI canonized him as a saint, affirming his sanctity and role as an exemplary model of faith. Though the specific aspects of St. Juan's patronage are not mentioned, his life and teachings serve as an inspiration for all believers. His dedication to reforming and revitalizing religious practices within the Trinitarian Order, along with his deep devotion to prayer and asceticism, continue to impact the spiritual lives of Catholics worldwide.
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