In which notice is given of the conclusion of the costly building
of the church and school of Santa Isabel, and the removal thither
of the girls whom this brotherhood had in that of Santa Potenciana,
and in other private houses where they lived in retirement and with
their devout exercises distributed through the hours of the day.
It was the year 634, in which the brotherhood of the Santa Misericordia
saw their desires fulfilled in the conclusion of the costly building
of the church and school of Santa Isabel, for the commodious housing
of the many daughters whom they were maintaining in the school of
Santa Potenciana and other private houses of shelter, at the expense
of many pesos which it expended for the pious ends of their clothing,
dowries, and other like things; when the removal of them all to the new
school was arranged with especial joy and gladness of all this city.
[The opening of the school is marked by great ceremonies, the chief
event being the procession which is participated in by the brotherhood
and the girls of the school under the leadership of the rectress,
Cathalina de Aguirre. At the new church various exercises are held.]
The girls of this school have always been orphan girls, for the most
part daughters of parents of rank and of many merits and services to
the king our sovereign, who in the first days lost their lives in the
service of his Majesty. They continually praise God with the general
example to this city begging his Majesty for the greater conservation
of the Spanish monarchy and that of these islands and their fields of
Christendom. They often frequent the holy sacraments, the holy Society
of Jesus having precedence in the task of confessing them. They spend
four hours in the choir by day and night, and are occupied in hearing
mass and reciting their devotions. They are employed by day in the work
of sewing and helping in the kitchen, for which purpose two of them are
chosen weekly, both so that the food may be cooked with neatness and so
that they may learn how to take care of and manage a house. They are
under the charge of a rectress, and the rectresses have always been
persons of great virtue and example. They have a portress who takes
care of the porter's lodge, as well as of the actions and decorum of
the said collegiate daughters when they call them below. On Fridays
during Lent they meditate and think over the devout exercises of the
Via crucis inside the school. At night they recite the rosary in a
chorus to the queen of the angels and at the stroke of half-past nine,
taps sound and silence reigns. They all sleep together in one single,
capacious, decent, and neat dormitory. They eat in the refectory and
have a lesson out of spiritual books. During Lent they listen in the
choir to the sermons which are preached in the church of said school
on Monday mornings, as well as to the explanation of the Christian
doctrine on Sunday afternoons. Those who have charge of so holy a
work are those of the holy Society of Jesus, at the request of this
board. Finally, since the chapters of the rules of the said school
are many and various, they are omitted for the present, inasmuch as
the limit of time does not allow anything else.
The brothers of this venerable brotherhood, besides the festivities
and functions which our ordinances provide, annually attend the said
church on the day of the glorious apostles St. Philip and St. James,
and the following: in the first to celebrate the feast with greater
solemnity for the health of their Majesties and the increase and
conservation of their kingdoms and domains; and in the second, to
celebrate the obsequies and honors for the deceased kings. For the
greater concurrence, authority, and luster of so royal a function, all
the sacred orders are invited and are punctually present. A catafalque
of the size demanded by such an act is erected and on it are placed
the royal insignias, and a great quantity of wax, and the vigil mass
and response are chanted, accompanied by the best music that can be
found, in order thereby to make a rare showing of loyalty and love by
this demonstration of piety and acknowledgment, which this venerable
brotherhood has always had, and has for its kings and sovereigns.