Numerous other convents added to the sanctity and embellishment of the city, but special notice must be taken of the convent and royal hospital of the Purísima Concepcion. This hospital was founded by Diego de Tapia, son of Fernando de Tapia, the conqueror, about the year 1586. The same benefactor founded the Franciscan nunnery of Santa Clara, which was transferred to a new site in 1633, and thither were conveyed the same year to their final repose the bones of the founder. Other religious establishments were the monasteries of the Franciscan order of barefooted friars and the barefooted Carmelites; the Jesuit church and college of San Ignacio de Loyola founded in 1625; the Dominican convent of San Pedro y San Pablo; the royal college of Santa Rosa and its magnificent church; the Capuchin, Austin, and Carmelite nunneries, and other religious institutions. By royal cédula of October 10, 1671, permission was granted to the congregation of our lady of Guadalupe founded in 1669 to erect a church in Santiago de Querétaro; and in 1680, owing to the munificence of Juan Caballero y Osio,[1] by whom the greater part of the expenses were defrayed, the building was so far advanced as to admit of its being dedicated. The ceremony took place on the 12th of May, and was conducted with a solemnity and splendor never before witnessed in the city. Visitors from all parts of New Spain assembled on the occasion, and the festivities which followed were continued for eight days. The church is the most sumptuous in Querétaro.[2]
The success of the religious orders in the conver-
- ↑ Oslo had previously proved himself a munificent benefactor by his liberal donations to numerous religious institutions, in several instances defraying the entire cost of the erection of chapels and convents. He was a captain of infantry, became alcalde mayor of Querétaro, and was finally ordained priest. He possessed a large fortune which he devoted to such purposes and charity. He died in Querétaro on the 11th of April, 1707, at the age of 73, 'y fué sepultado en la Santa Casa de Loreto, dentro de una caxa de hierro, mandando poner por epitafio solo estas breves palabras. Hæc requies mea.' Sigüenza y Góagara, Glorias de Quer., 19; Iglesias, Rel., 157-8.
- ↑ Id., 95-171; Medina, Chron., S. Diego Mex., 254; Diario, Mex., 117.
