Jose Maria Rubio (22 July 1864 – 2 May 1929) was a Spanish Jesuit, known as the Apostle of Madrid by the Bishop of Madrid. He was canonised in 2003 by Pope John Paul II. Childhood and adolescence Son of farmers and the oldest of thirteen brothers, born to Francisco Rubio and Mercedes Peralta, he grew up in the town of Dalías, in Almería, until he entered the seminary of Almeria, where he studied Human Studies and one year of Philosophy (1876–1879). He then studied Philosophy and Theology for four years at Granada (1879–1886), where he was sponsored and protected by the professor and canon Joaquin Torres Asensio. On Ascensio's move to Madrid, Rubio followed his professor to study theology for a fifth year (1886–1887). He obtained a degree in theology in 1896 and a doctorate in Canon Law from Toledo in 1897. Priest in suburban Madrid Ordained priest, he celebrated his first Mass on October 12 (1887) on the altar of the conversion of San Luis Gonzaga of the then Cathedral of San Isidro of Madrid, the diocese where he worked for three years as curate at Chinchón (1887–1889) and pastor at Estremera (1889–1890). In both villages he was notable for its extreme austerity, his catechesis of children, and service of the poorest. Later, as Chaplain of Bernardine nuns in the church of the Sacrament of Madrid, Almudena parish, he became distinguished by his activity in the suburbs of the capital with the cleaners and "dressmakers". He also taught Latin literature, pastoral theology and metaphysics (1890–1894) at the seminary in Madrid, and was a notary and registrar of the vicariate of the diocese. A journey as a pilgrim to Holy Land and Rome (1904) left on him an indelible mark. During this period he described himself as a "fan of the Jesuits", because since his time as a student of theology at Granada he had wanted to join this Order, to the point of becoming confused as such among the those who organize clerical famous riot after the theatrical representation of the "Electra" of Galdós. Anecdotes in the life of José María Rubio Rubio was a famed confessor. The locals were willing to queue for several hours to be shriven by Fr. Rubio. VISIT TO A DYING While confessing, a lady came and gave him the directions to a man who had to confess soon, as he was dying.