By the enthusiastic members social reforms were introduced, which, however beneficial to the poorer classes, grievously interfered with public and private amusements. Balls, comedies, and public games were discontinued; certain feasts in which bulls, Moors, and christians were represented in procession, were also done away with. These festivities were so attractive to the lower orders that in order to participate in them with appropriate display they would sell their household chattels. Another abuse corrected was the promiscuous bathing of the sexes in the river, to the sound of music, and midst the noise of feasting on the banks. Henceforth the inhabitants of Querétaro were, doubtless, a devout and moral community, though much against their will.[1]
After the surrender of their convent of Santa Cruz, the Franciscans erected what may be considered the third monastery of the order built in Querétaro, and which was the capitular convent of the province. Annexed to it is a sumptuous church, which was greatly embellished by Fray José de Soria, who died in Mexico in December 1734. Within the limits of its cemetery various other sacred edifices were erected, among which may be mentioned the church of the Venerable Orden Tercera de Penitencia, in which the noble and the wealthy performed their devotions and penitential vows.
- ↑ Espinosa, after describing the reforms, speaks of a citizen, who having been absent for some time, on his return as he approached the city inquired of one whom he met on the road what news there was in Querétaro. 'Señor,' replied the man, 'Querétaro is no more Querétaro; some priests have come, and no longer are there fandangos as before; sadness prevails, no harp or guitar is heard; there is nothing but praying and preaching, so that the place has lost its mirth.' Id., 54-5. Consult also Arricivita, Cron. Seraf., 8-9, 34-5, 174-82, 201-6. The miraculous cross was removed from its original site in 1701 and placed in the crucero of the church of this convent, Espinosa, Cron. Apost., i. 19; Glorias de Quer., 39.
in Michoacan from Spain and was elected guardian of the convent of Valladolid in 1671, and in 1674 was appointed custodio to attend the general chapter held in Spain in 1682. He returned in 1683 to found the colegio de propaganda fide. Linaz fasted much, and at times fell into ecstatic trances while at prayer. Miraculous virtues are attributed to him, which he continued to manifest after his death, which occurred at Madrid on the 29th of June, 1693. Espinosa, Cron. Apost., i. 93-251, 320-1, 80-4.
