Of the number of girls whom this venerable brotherhood has supported
since its foundation until the present time; and the report of the
expenses caused by the said girls during all that time; also [the
expenses] in the church of Santa Isabel in their charge, and other
particulars.
[Those helped by the brotherhood are the hospital of St. John of God,
of which the board of the brotherhood is patron; the house of women
sheltered by the ecclesiastical judge of this archbishopric; the
religious orders; the public prisons; destitute widows; orphan girls;
and all poor beggars. But most of all the school of Santa Isabel is
eloquent in its praises, for since 1634, the brotherhood has helped
13,270 girls, scholars, wards, women, and other persons. Many girls
it has sent to swell the ranks of the Order of St. Clara, while many
have been married, for whom a dowry has always been provided. The sum
of 508,916 pesos, 4 tomins, 3 granos, has been spent in this work. From
its foundation until 1634, the brotherhood has helped many girls in the
school of Santa Potenciana, maintaining besides many girls in private
families. The number of such girls exceeds seven thousand, many of
whom have embraced the religious life, while others have married,
a dowry being furnished to these latter. They have never refused to
shelter abandoned children, for whom they have cared tenderly, teaching
them and sending them into the life for which they are fitted.]
The spiritual welfare must not be passed by in silence, which
has been and is being obtained for all this city, from the time
of the erection of the church called Santa Misericordia. There,
every Sunday, and day of observance, three masses are specially
said: the first between 4 and 5 o'clock in the morning, from which
follows the spiritual consolation which the poor share, who, by their
necessity and poverty, cannot succeed in hearing it if it is not held
at such an hour; the second, at nine o'clock in the morning, which
is attended by the majority of this city; and the third at eleven,
so that the poor slaves and servants of this city, after concluding
their domestic tasks, may attend it without failing in what pertains
to their obligation. Besides the above, there are many which are
daily celebrated in the said church, where on many occasions of the
year there is generally an open collectorship of masses, which are
said with the alms which the funds of this house produce.
The expenses of this church in all that pertains to divine worship
and other functions which are frequent, both of the interment of
brothers, of their wives, and firstborn, and honors which are shown
them, both in attendance on those executed, their burial, and other
charitable exercises in which this brotherhood is employed, exceed
118,438 pesos, 3 tomins, since the time of its foundation. It excels
in the adornment of its temple and in the neatness and glory of the
things of divine worship and in that of the priestly ornaments, and
other things. This is all in charge of a deputy of the board, who is
annually appointed as chapel steward, so that by the attention and
care which he gives, it may all be done in a fitting manner, without
there being any omission, and so that there may be no falling off of
observance in said church and its sacristy.
[In addition the brotherhood distributes 25 or 30 pesos weekly to
the Japanese beatas of San Miguel; and 3 pesos apiece to certain poor
collegiates called "Sons of the Board [mesa] of Santa Misericordia,"
who are attending San Juan de Letran. This latter sum is given to
the president of the college, who looks after their education.]