The Philippine Islands: A Political, Geographical, Ethnographical, Social and Commercial History of the Philippine Archipelago, Embracing the Whole Period of Spanish RuleForeman, John, F.R.G.S.
History
The Philippine Islands: A Political, Geographical, Ethnographical, Social and Commercial History of the Philippine Archipelago, Embracing the Whole Period of Spanish Rule
Foreman, John, F.R.G.S.
Philippines
The writer says that the people of Acapulco (Mexico) were loth to
part with their Holy Image, but the saintly Virgin herself, desirous
of succouring the inhabitants of the Spanish Indies, smoothed all
difficulties. During her first voyage, in the month of March, 1626,
a tempest arose, which was calmed by the Virgin, and all arrived
safely in the galleon at the shores of Manila. She was then carried
in procession to the Cathedral, whilst the church bells tolled and
the artillery thundered forth salutes of welcome. A solemn Mass was
celebrated, which all the religious communities, civil authorities,
and a multitude of people attended.
Six years afterwards the Gov.-General Juan Nino de Tabora died. By
his will he intrusted the Virgin to the care of the Jesuits, whilst
a church was being built under the direction of Father Juan Salazar
for her special reception. During the erection of this church, the
Virgin often descended from the altar and exhibited herself amongst the
flowery branches of a tree, called by the natives Antipolo (_Artocarpus
incisa_). The tree itself was thenceforth regarded as a precious relic
by the natives, who, leaf by leaf and branch by branch, were gradually
carrying it off. Then Father Salazar decreed that the tree-trunk should
serve for a pedestal to the Divine Miraculous Image--hence the title
"Virgin of Antipolo."
In 1639 the Chinese rebelled against the Spanish authority (_vide_
p. 115). In their furious march through the ruins and the blood of
their victims, and amidst the wailing of the crowd, they attacked the
Sanctuary wherein reposed the Virgin. Seizing the Holy Image, they
cast it into the flames, and when all around was reduced to ashes,
there stood the Virgin of Antipolo, resplendent, with her hair,
her lace, her ribbons and adornments intact, and her beautiful body
of brass without wound or blemish! Passionate at seeing frustrated
their designs to destroy the deified protectress of the Christians,
a wanton infidel stabbed her in the face, and all the resources of
art have ever failed to heal the lasting wound. Again the Virgin
was enveloped in flames, which hid the appalling sight of her
burning entrails. Now the Spanish troops arrived, and fell upon
the heretical marauders with great slaughter; then, glancing with
trembling anxiety upon the scene of the outrage, behold! with glad
astonishment they descried the Holy Image upon a smouldering pile
of ashes--unhurt! With renewed enthusiasm, the Spanish warriors bore
away the Virgin on their shoulders in triumph, and Sebastian Hurtado
de Corcuera, the Gov.-General at the time, had her conveyed to Cavite
to be the patroness of the faithful upon the high seas.
A galleon arrived at Cavite, and being unable to go into port, the
commander anchored off at a distance. Then the new Gov.-General,
Diego Fajardo (1644-53), sent the Virgin on board, and, by her help,
a passage was found for the vessel to enter.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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