Juanita García Peraza
| Juanita Garcia Peraza | |
|---|---|
 Peraza was the founder of the only non-Catholic denomination religion of Puerto Rican origin. | |
| Born |
June 24, 1897 Hatillo, Puerto Rico |
| Died |
February 21, 1970 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Nationality | Puerto Rican |
| Occupation | religious leader |
|
Notes Peraza was known as "Mita", the name by which the congregation and their religion were known by. | |
Juanita Garcia Peraza,[note 1] also known as "Mita" (June 24, 1897 – February 21, 1970) was the founder of the "Mita congregation", the only non-Catholic denomination religion of Puerto Rican origin.
Early years
Peraza was born in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, and raised by her parents, who were evangelists. She was influenced from childhood by their strict religious beliefs. When her family moved to Arecibo, Peraza became extremely ill. She made a promise to God that if she was cured, she would always serve him.[1]
Peraza considered it a miracle that she was cured of her illness and she decided to keep her promise. She was one of the first Puerto Rican women to preach religion in Puerto Rico. Soon, she became a leader in the church she attended. This, however, made the majority of the male church members feel uncomfortable with her presence and they told her that she was no longer welcome there.[2]
"Mita"
Peraza left the church with 11 other members who followed her. In 1940, Peraza and her followers founded their own church in Arecibo,and in 1947 she relocated to the current location of Hato Rey a suburb of San Juan. They claimed that the "Spirit of Life" gave Peraza the new name of "Mita". They started calling themselves "Mitas" and their religion "the Mita congregation". According to the Mita faith, Mita was the incarnation of the Holy Ghost on earth and Mita must pick a successor before she dies.[3]
Under Perazas' leadership, the church founded many small businesses which provided work, orientation, and help for its members. The first branch of the church outside of Puerto Rico was established in New York City. The church has expanded to Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Canada, Curaçao, Ecuador and Spain.[3]
Legacy
Juanita "Mita" Garcia Peraza died on February 21, 1970 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Teofilo Vargas Sein ("Aaron"), is now the prophet of God. Puerto Rico honored Peraza's memory by naming an elementary school after her in San Juan.[4]
Notes
- ↑ This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Garcia and the second or maternal family name is Peraza.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- History of women in Puerto Rico