of the low-lying coast lands, reeking with pestiferous air, deter the Augustinians. From Tiripitio they descended into the tierra caliente of the southern seaboard, and labored there as elsewhere, regardless of their comfort or their lives.
They went also to Ocuila, twelve leagues southwest of the city of Mexico, and having acquired that most difficult language by the aid of the converts, they finally succeeded in erecting a convent and a church. Miraculous assistance was vouchsafed to the Austin friars as to others. Situated in a beautiful ravine between the towns of Ocuila and Malinalco, and about eighteen leagues south-west of the capital, the mysterious cave of Chalma had, from time immemorial, been celebrated as a place of heathen worship. Here reposed the idol of the awful Ostotoctheotl, and here his rites were solemnized and his anger appeased by the blood of men and beasts. This stronghold of Satan the friars Sebastian de Tolentino and Nicolás de Perea determined to assail, and in 1537, accompanied with an army of Ocuiltec converts, went in solemn procession to Chalma, Fray Nicolás bearing a cross upon his shoulder. But on arriving at the gloomy cavern they beheld a wondrous sight. The dark cave was illuminated by a heavenly light, the hideous Dagon lay prostrate and broken on the ground; and a beautiful crucifix occupied the now purified place of Ostotoctheotl, and thereupon Chalma became a hermitage and shrine visited from afar.[1]
In 1537 the term of the provincial of Castile, under whose license they were acting, expired, and the Austin
- ↑ The first hermit who occupied the sanctuary was Bartolomé de Jesus María. In time a house, with cells for a few friars, and a chapel were built, and finally an Augustinian convent. On March 5, 1683, the church of Chalma was dedicated. There is also a hospedería for the accommodation of pilgrims who visit the place twice a year, at the beginning of Lent and on St Michael's day in May. Many miracles and wonderful cures are credited to this shrine. Romero Elias, Salv. ó Caridad, No. ii. 105-44; Sardo Joaquin, Chalma, 1 et seq.
years in building, was made a college for the higher branches of learning. A son of the king of Michoacan was one of the first pupils. Under the provincial Ávila it was one of the great centres of the faith. Mich., Cron. St Nicolas, 4, 6-12, 22, 145.
