These Novenas contain pernicious teachings for society whose moral
foundation consists in the development of the individual qualities
such as industry, fulfillment of duty, respect of law, struggle with
one's own instincts and passions which require above all else the
mastery over one's self. Not only are these social obligations not
taught nor mentioned but there is a real stimulus toward all that
is bad, assuring to the criminal, to the sinner, that he will be
pardoned, that he will be free from punishment, that however badly
he may act and however sinful he may be, without the least effort,
with the greatest ease and naturalness, he will obtain what he wishes
and will triumph on earth as well as in the other life.
On the other hand, the individual is terrorized by the influence of
evil, always tending to push him on to the road of vice and ignominy;
he is inspired with blind confidence by placing on his side a Guardian
Angel who never leaves night and day, who supports him, who guides
him "his (the Guardian Angel's) intervention being so useful that he
modifies that which we asked of God when he knows that our petitions
might bring us some spiritual or bodily ill."
What idea of justice can one conceive when he remembers the spectacle
that was witnessed by that gentleman in the cemetery of Cuzco? Not
only are Mary and Joseph presented as interceding with all energy for
the salvation of the criminal for the mere reason that he invoked
their names, but they remain unmoved and do nothing to soften the
cruelty of Jesus Christ when He condemns to sudden death and eternal
condemnation the two unfortunate sinful women. They did not invoke the
name of Mary and Joseph who only seem to have pity on their clients and
work with the same partiality of a Nacionalista or Democrata demagogue.
And what significance does a law have which does not admit nor
prosecute polygamy when so many virgins are wives of Jesus who expect
the other life in order that they may deliver themselves to Him as
their husband? What about Mary, wife of the Father, of her own son,
of Joseph, and Saint Domingo?
Mr. Ignacio Villamor in his report to the Committee on Infant
mortality, written when he was Attorney-General, refers to various
cases of murder of persons considered as bewitched and as such were
sacrificed for being fanatics.
The lad of Trayguerra who assailed the ugly woman for mistaking
her for the devil himself after hearing a sermon of San Vicente,
is absolutely of the same nature as those possessed of the asuang
referred to by Mr. Villamor.
And what shall be said of the protection of San Isidro invoked by
the agriculturists? He gave an example of neglect of his duties as a
farmer, because instead of plowing the land, doing the work for which
he was paid by his master, he spent the day praying. Thru a miracle,
an angel took hold of the plow, guided the bulls while the saint prayed
and did not work. And right here in our midst, confident in San Isidro,
the people of the field sleep, hoping that the angels shall do the
work for them! How can you condemn laziness when the angels protect
it? And how can you preach the doctrine of "earning bread by the sweat
of your brow" when the labor that sweat presupposes is unnecessary?
Without connection whatsoever with the Bureau of Education of the
Government of the Philippine Islands, I have spoken in the manner
that I have just done, not to defend the lay schools of an unjust and
unjustifiable accusation; not to attack any persons or any religious
or political ideals, but to contribute to the eradication of one of
the bases, one of the strongest causes of criminality, of corruption,
of formation of individuals who are useless and detrimental to society:
superstition. And, gentlemen, it is not a superstition that is only
to be laughed at. Not by any means. It is a ridiculous and even
absurd superstition, it is true, but it is a tragic and dangerous
because it offers to the wicked, the criminal, the imbecile, the
means of triumphing in life, of obtaining what they want, giving
them the means of avoiding punishment, making fun here on earth of
the justice of men, and securing from God the pardon from eternal
condemnation thru the simple means of invoking the name of a saint,
or thru the medium of a Latin word which, acting as a sort of open
sesame opens wide to the devotee the gates of heaven.