The experience of Fray Juan Chrisostomo in Espana until the
establishment of the new province was completed.
[Though father Fray Juan had supposed, because of the ease with which
he carried out his business at Roma, that he was likely to obtain
even greater favor in Espana, he found the conditions entirely
contrary. During his absence in Rome, the bishop of Philippinas
had sent to Espana Father Alonso Sanchez as his commissioner. The
bishop met with great difficulties in Philippinas, because of the
long period which had passed during which there had been no bishop
there. He had sent Father Alonso to obtain support from Espana,
giving him especial directions to further the establishment of the
order, as he expected to receive great assistance from it. But Father
Alonso acted in a contrary manner, maintaining both in Mexico and in
Espana that there was no further need of clergy in the islands, and
especially no need of the establishment of a new order there. Being
accredited with letters from the ecclesiastical dignitaries, and
speaking as an eyewitness, he persuaded the Spaniards of whatever he
pleased; he had special influence with the Council of the Indias and
with the king's confessor. [20] Father Juan was accordingly obliged
to retire to his convent of San Pablo at Sevilla, entrusting this
work to the Lord. So completely did he abandon the enterprise that
he made use of some of the relics which had been given him by the
pope for the establishment of the new province, to the advantage of
his old convent. At last, by an inspiration of God, Father Juan was
again moved to set about the establishment of this province. Among the
religious who offered themselves for the work was father Fray Juan de
Castro, [21] who, after filling important administrative offices in
the order, had retired to his convent of San Pablo at Burgos. Though
an old man, he was fired with religious zeal for the work on which
Father Juan had entered. From the convent of San Pablo at Valladolid
there volunteered two lecturers in theology, father Fray Miguel de
Venavides (afterward bishop of Nueva Segovia and archbishop of Manila),
and father Fray Antonio Arcediano; Fray Juan de Ormaca, lecturer in
arts, afterward provincial; Fray Juan Maldonado, likewise lecturer
in arts, and afterward a holy martyr; and Fray Pedro de Soto, Fray
Miguel Berreaca and Fray Juan de Ojeda, who all were priests. [22]
Fray Domingo Nieva, deacon, who also volunteered, was afterward of
great importance, because of the great ease and skill with which he
learned languages, whether Indian or Chinese. From the college of
San Gregorio in the same city, came to join them father Fray Andres
Almaguer. From the convent of San Estevan at Salamanca there offered
themselves for the expedition father Fray Alonso Ximenez (afterward
provincial), father Fray Bartolome Lopez, and father Fray Juan de
Hurutria [Urrutia, in Resena]. From San Vicente at Plasencia came
father Fray Francisco de Toro; from the royal convent of Sancto Thomas
at Avila, father Fray Juan Cobo, [23] a master in the college there;
from the college of Sancto Thomas de Alcala, father Fray Bernardo
Navarro--who was twice provincial, and for many years commissary of
the holy Inquisition--father Fray Diego de Soria (afterward bishop
of Nueva Segovia), and the lay brother Fray Pedro Rodriguez. From the
convent of Nuestra Senora de la Pena de Francia [24] came father Fray
Alonso Delgado, who was sub-prior, and father Fray Pedro Bolanos,
[25] master of novices. From the convent of San Pablo de Sevilla
volunteered father Fray Juan de la Cruz, [26] and the fathers Fray
Francisco de la Cruz and Fray Pedro Flores. Father Juan succeeded in
obtaining a letter from the king to the governor of the Philippinas
Islands, dated September 20, 1585, endorsing his enterprise.
The religious set out from Castilla in May, 1586. Father Fray Juan
Chrisostomo, being too humble in spirit to undertake the leadership
of the company, resigned his position in favor of father Fray Juan
de Castro.]