The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 13 of 55: 1604-1605; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of The Catholic Missions, As Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century
History
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 13 of 55: 1604-1605; Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of The Catholic Missions, As Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century
Demarcation line of Alexander VI; Missions -- Philippines; Philippines -- Discovery and exploration; Philippines -- History -- Sources
In the measure of this fervor does our Lord correspondingly bestow
upon them visits and spiritual consolations, most liberally accorded
by His Divine Majesty to these His new faithful. Of these we have
already given some general account, and now I will relate in detail
one case, only, in the words of Father Francisco de Otaco, who wrote
from Tinagon, before he departed thence to be superior in Dulac:
"There came today from Catubig a Christian Indian, a youth of
about sixteen years, to hear mass and make his confession; it was
a long and toilsome journey. He showed much candor and goodness,
and special affection for the things of Christianity, speaking of
them with intelligence and appreciation. He related to me an incident
that had befallen him, which had been the cause of that interest and
intelligence. He was sick, and, fearing that the hour of death was
already at hand, he charged a companion of his to place at the head
of his bed, at the last hour, a cross and some lighted candles. His
end approached, so near that all regarded him as one already dead,
and his companion fulfilled the charge that had been given him. Then,
he said, he became as one who dreams, although it seemed to him to
be more than dreaming, and even quite different. There appeared at
his right side a father of the Society, holding in his hand a rosary
of our Lady: upon his head he bore a diadem of golden brightness and
a halo of the same splendor encompassed his breast. The apparition,
calling him by name in affectionate terms, said to him: 'Turn this
way, my son, to the right side, which is that of the elect, and count
these beads. Thou wert to die of this sickness; but, because thou art a
Christian, our Lord has been pleased to give thee life and health; but
it is only that thou mayest be a good Christian, always remembering
our Lord, living in prayer and carefully guarding thyself from
every sin--that is, from all that offends the sight of God.' Having
in a long discourse given him other profitable counsels, the figure
disappeared; and the sick man regained his consciousness, as if he had
been resuscitated (for all thought him really dead), and with sudden
energy began to speak. He asked for food, and soon felt much better,
to the astonishment of all who were present. These, terrified at such
a change, inquired from him its cause, and he related to them the above
occurrence--attributing his recovery to the singular mercy of our Lord,
and to the fact that he was a Christian; and he often related the
affair with no little benefit to his hearers. Having heard him speak,
for some time, so well and so affectionately concerning our Lord and
the observance of His holy commandments, I praised his discourse and
meritorious sentiments. He answered that it was no cause for surprise,
since all those things had been taught him in the aforesaid vision,
and had remained deeply impressed upon his mind."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account