Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/112

the third, Felipe, born on May 1, 1575, and educated at the Jesuit college, joined the barefooted Franciscans at Puebla, but fell from his vows and was by the angry parents sent to the Philippines, there to seek his fortune.^[1] The large sum of money which he brought as a means for advancement was soon dissipated in riot, but the consequences hastened repentance, and in 1594 he became again a barefooted Franciscan, displaying this time such devout zeal as to gain general admiration. After two years of penance he left for home.

The vessel touched at Japan,^[2] and there he with several brother friars was seized to undergo martyrdom.^[3] Proceedings were instituted for the canonization of the victims. Archbishop Serna himself making inquiries on behalf of Felipe, and by bull of September 14, 1627, thirty years after his death, the repentant son of the merchant was admitted a saint, as the protomartyr of Mexico. Two years later, on the anniversary of his martyrdom, February 5th, the city celebrated the beatification with imposing ceremonies, and received San Felipe de Jesus as one of the patrons. The viceroy and archbishop led in the procession, and the mother of the saint was able to participate; but the excitement and joy carried her to the grave a few days later.^[4]

About the same time efforts were made for the beatification of a revered hermit named Gregorio

some spiritual relations with this saint, observes Medina, Chrón. S. Diego, 114.

1. As a soldier, says Medina, yet he allows him to take large amounts of money wherewith to speculate. Others intimate that he intentled to pursue the trade of a silversmith, in which he had already engaged at Mexico. Sta María, Chron. St Joseph, ii. lib. iii. cap. x.; Ribadeneyra, Hist. Arch., lib. vi. cap. iv.; Comp, de Jesus, Defensa, 5.
2. On a mission, it is said, yet Medina declares that Zales drove it there for refuge. During the voyage singular phenomena gave indication of the saint on board.
3. The bodies of the victims appear all to have been recovered and taken to Manila. Felipe was crucified and lanced after losing his left ear.
4. Alegre, Hist. Comp. Jesus, ii. 177-8. Pueblo city also vowed to observe the day of San Felipe, who first assumed the robe there. Medina, Chrón. S. Diego, 33-4, 114-20; Monumentos Domin. Esp., MS., 96, 363.