The life and death of the venerable bishop Don Fray Diego Aduarte,
a religious of this province
For those who knew the great virtues of the most religious father and
most perfect bishop Don Fray Diego Aduarte, this history must certainly
fall under the condemnation of being incomplete, not only because
it passes over in silence the great good which he wrought in España
before coming to this country, but also because he showed singular
dexterity, in hiding, because of his humility, the admirable works
in which he exercised himself, though when in the province he much
surpassed others. In this he was much aided by his nature, which was
not a little taciturn; and although he corrected this fault by virtue,
and those who dealt with him intimately found him always most kind, and
extremely glad to do good to all, yet in himself at first sight and in
one's first conversation with him he did not seem so, and did not even
give signs of the great devotion which he concealed within himself. Yet
after no long time he revealed himself to one who had to do with him;
and his devotion was the more admirable and the more esteemed the more
it exceeded his nature and the less it was exhibited. At the same time,
his great care to hide his own good works and his taciturn nature have
concealed from us many deeds and writings of great edification and good
example. He was a native of Zaragoça, and was of noble birth. At the
age of sixteen he came to Castilla; and, as he was passing casually
through Alcala de Henares, he fell into conversation with a religious
of the order, who told him how, though he was a student in the college
which the order has there, he was giving up this position, with all
the hopes which it offered him, and was leaving all his kinsmen and
friends in España to go to the Philippinas. The religious said that a
new province was about to be established there, under the strictest
rules, and on a basis of so extensive charity as to strive with all
diligence and care for the conversion of the many heathen regions
there. [This conversation, and certain other reasons, decided the
young Diego to ask for the habit in that convent which the order has
in Alcala; and they very willingly gave him the habit immediately,
April 9, the day of St. Peter Martyr in the year 1586. He made his
profession, and, being well instructed in the matters of religion
and virtue, after the custom of the order went to study, reaching
high attainments in scholarship. He was ordained priest in the year
1594, and returned to Alcala on some business, without thinking of
journeying to these regions. In spite of the incident described, he
had never had any inclination to it, or to any other of the Indias;
but was possessed by a particular love for the quiet and calm caused
by retirement in the cell.] At that time there arrived there one of
the religious who had founded this province in the beginning, Fray
Alonso Delgado; he had returned to España, to assemble companions to
carry on the many conversions of the heathen which had been happily
begun. A few days before, the patents of the general of our order
had been read in this convent, giving him authority to take with
him those who might enlist in so holy a work. Father Fray Francisco
Blancas, who was afterward called here "de Sant Joseph," had offered
himself. The prior and the friars of the convent had tried to hinder
him because of the need of him which they should feel; for it seemed
to them that there was scarcely anyone in the province who in life,
spirit, and teaching could fill his place. Father Fray Alonso Delgado
had complained of their interference, and was now returning with new
directions that no one should disturb those who desired to go on this
holy expedition. This brought to an end the force brought to bear
by the prior and the convent, but not their prayers and persuasions
that the said father would remain. Father Fray Francisco Blancas
and father Fray Diego Aduarte were very fond of each other, being
natives of the same kingdom of Aragon, sons of this convent of Alcala,
and being almost of one age and of one mind. [Accordingly the prior
asked father Fray Diego to persuade father Fray Francisco to remain;
but both of them were induced to go to Filipinas by the arguments of
father Fray Alonso. With great content the two began their journey
from Toledo on the first of June, and reached Sevilla in a fortnight
walking poorly and humbly, and setting a noble example. They caused
great joy in all the companions who, expecting father Fray Francisco
alone, saw him arrive with so good an associate. When they set sail
they met with great hardships. The ship was very inconvenient, being
small and having no quarter-deck. They met with contrary winds and
heavy seas the first fortnight of the voyage, which is the hardest
for inexperienced sailors. They met with the heaviest weather in
the gulf well named the Gulf de las Yeguas (i.e., "of the Mares")
because of the kicks which it generally gives to those who sail through
it. On the land journey, before they reached the City of Mexico four
of the religious fell sick, among them father Fray Diego, who alone
escaped. The rest of the chapter consists of a somewhat abbreviated
repetition of the accounts of journeys already given in the body of
the work. A few details are added. For instance, we are told that,
in the prayers of the fathers, father Fray Diego was usually the one
to wake the others up by beginning the singing of the Te Deum. Those
next him observed that he spent nearly all of the night on his knees
in prayer. The only additional information as to his life in Manila
before the first of his many voyages is, that he was assigned to
the ministry to the Chinese. He learned the language, though he
found it very difficult, hearing confessions and preaching in it
within a few months. The narrative of the first journey to Camboxa
is given as in chapters xlvi-xlviii of book i, with the addition of
some new information. When the Spaniards left Camboxa they passed
by the contiguous kingdom of Champa, because of the savagery of the
inhabitants, and went on to Cochinchina. The cruelties of the ruler of
this kingdom are described at some length; and we are informed that on
the return voyage the vessel in which father Fray Diego was sailing
was obliged to take refuge in one of his ports. An account is given
of a miracle wrought by the habit of father Fray Diego, which had been
left behind with four soldiers in a boat at the time of the attack on
the king of Camboja. These soldiers were shot at with volleys of arrows
from the shore, but were protected by the holy habit as by a wall. The
great respect felt by the religious of Malaca for father Fray Diego
when they become acquainted with his virtue and learning is recounted.]