convent, now converted into a college, is Don
Jose Martin, a very holy man, though quite
young, and revered by the whole country as a
saint. He is a wonderM preacher, and by his
austere and penitential life works miracles in
bringing souls to God. His manner is singularly
gentle, simple, and humble. He kindly came to
escort the party through the catacombs, and to
show them the relics. The sites of the different
martyrdoms have been converted into small cha-
pels or oratories : in one, where the victim perished
by fire, his ashes still remain. Little leaden tablets
mark the different spots. Here also is the great
wooden cross of St. John of the Cross, from the
foot of which he preached a sermon on the * Love
of God ' dming his visit to Granada, which is said
to have converted upwards of 3,000 people. * I
always come here to pray for a few minutes before
preaching,' said simply Don Jose Martin, * so that
a portion of his spirit may rest upon me.' After
spending some time in this sanctuary, the party
reluctantly retraced their steps, and returned to
the town, where they had promised to visit the
great hospital of San Juan de Dios. It is a mag-
nificent establishment, entirely under the care of
the Spanish sisters of charity of St. Vincent de
Paul, with a ’patio' or quadrangle in the centre,
Page:Impressions of Spain in 1866.djvu/86
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66
GRANADA.