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
Good progress is being made in the missions of Leyte--Alangalang,
Carigara and others; nearly three thousand persons were baptized
therein during the years 1600-1602. At Alangalang there are in
the Jesuit church three choirs of Indians, who "surpass many
Spaniards." The Christians at Ogmuc are exceedingly fervent; and
the children instructed in the Jesuit school become, in their turn,
teachers of their parents. The Indians of the Alangalang mission
practice flagellation during Holy Week, "shedding their blood with such
fervor that it became necessary to restrain them. Nor was there less
fervor among the children;" and these, when too young to be allowed
to scourge themselves, invent another penance of their own. In Leyte
a notable disturbance among the natives, arising from the murder
of a prominent chief, is quelled by the influence of the Jesuits,
who reconcile the different factions and restore harmony, besides
reclaiming certain outlaws.
While a ship is being built at Panamao (now Biliran), one of the
fathers ministers (1602) to the workmen gathered there--Spaniards,
Indians, and others. A Spanish youth is slain by a negro; this sad
event disposes the minds of all to religion, and the missionary gathers
a rich harvest of souls. He is almost overwhelmed with his labors,
but is consoled by the deep contrition and devotion displayed by his
penitents, and twice defers his departure at their entreaties and
for the sake of their souls' welfare.
At the end of 1601, Father Francisco de Almerique dies at Manila,
worn out with long and incessant toil in his ministry to the
Indians. Chirino relates his virtues, labors, and pious death; he
has rendered especial service by attracting the wild Indians of the
mountains to settle in the mission villages, thus bringing them under
the influence of the gospel. The Jesuit college at Manila prospers;
a course in philosophy is begun, and the two religious congregations
stimulate religious devotion among their members. The spells used by
certain witches in that city are neutralized by the influence of an
_Agnus Dei_.
In 1602 the Taytay and Antipolo mission grows rapidly, and more
laborers are needed in that field. The devotions of Lent are, as
usual, emphasized by "processions of blood," wherein the devotees
scourge themselves through the streets. The mantle of Father Almerique
falls upon Father Angelo Armano. The devotion of these converts is
praised. The seminary for Indian boys, and the hospital, are efficient
aids to the labors of the missionaries.
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