In 1566 Archbishop Montúfar gave him permission to erect a hospital.[1] In it the congregation of Brothers and order of Charity had origin, its object being the succor and care of the indigent and the sick.[2] Subsequently, Father Álvarez founded other hospitals, to wit: in Oaxtepec, Jalapa, Perote, and Puebla, this last in or about 1593.
The number of brothers having gradually increased, and also the resources at his command, Álvarez enlarged his plans. The San Hipólito in Mexico being too small, he obtained from the archbishop and viceroy the site and chapel adjoining it, and with his own resources and the aid of friends erected a spacious and solid building to which the sick were transferred. After he had begun the work the capitalist Alonso de Villaseca, of whom I have spoken as the friend of the Jesuits, offered him one hundred thousand pesos, if he would permit to be placed on the building his coat of arms, and a motto expressive of the fact that he, Villaseca, was its patron. Álvarez declined, as he could not dedicate the place at once to God and to man.[3] One day he was without means to feed the poor, who were many. So he started with an image of the ecce homo, accompanied by two little boys through the arcades of the petty traders, crying, "In the name of God, give for the living stones of Jesus Christ." He soon returned, it is asserted, with seven hundred pesos in money, a number of blankets, and other articles.
- ↑ In the small square later called San Bernardo, facing the street of that name and that of Porta Cœli. In 1567, a license was reissued for the foundation of the hospital of San Hipólito, where it was actually erected. Viceroy Enriquez also cheerfully authorized it, and after his departure the hospital was aided by the audiencia. Id., 48-9.
- ↑ Its members were called hermanos, and their superior and ruler had the title of hermano mayor, or chief brother. The vows taken were of chastity, poverty, obedience, and hospitality. The pope on the 20th of May, 1700, instituted the brotherhood with the name of Congregacion de San Hipólito, and under the rule of Saint Augustine. Id., 453-5.
- ↑ His characteristic answer was: 'Que Dios, que era el Patron de aquella obra, daria con qué sustentar sus piedras vivas, que no avia de tener esta obra Patron, sino à un solo Dios.' The sole patron was God's image with the motto 'Dominus providevit.' Id., 80-3, 91.
