MACH, JOSÉ. - Spanish Jesuit, missionary, and writer who exercised considerable influence on the ecclesiastical culture of his time, b. in Barcellona on 3 May 1810, d. in Saragozza on 25 July 1885. He entered the Order on 3 March 1825 and concerned himself with various social groups, becoming a counsellor of wide experience, esteemed and sought after.
He left about 20 publications of an ascetical, pastoral, and devotional character. Several of them were translated into French, Italian, Portuguese, and Polish, and were reprinted in a great many editions; thus the Ancora de salvación, o devocionario enriquecido con muchas y nuevas oraciones, meditaciones y prácticas de virtud (Barcellona 1854), which in 1861 had reached its 7th edition and by M.'s death its 55th. The Tesoro del sacerdote o repertorio de los principales cosas que ha de saber y practicar el sacerdote para santificarse a sí, y santificar a los demás (ibid. 1861) was also widely circulated. The 10th edition of this work (ibid. 1889) contains M.'s biography. Among the devotions most strongly inculcated by him should be counted those to St. Luigi Gonzaga, to St. Giuseppe, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, and meditation on the Passion of Christ. M. also edited an edition of the Invitazione di Cristo.