Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/752

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RELIGIOUS ORDERS.

Pedro, and the lay brother Friar Fabian de Santo Domingo.[1] It was said that Saravia and Guerrero built one hundred and sixty churches in as many towns.

Among the Dominican priests of this diocese who distinguished themselves, and obtained high positions in and out of their order, besides those already named, are Martin de Zárate, Alonzo Lopez, Francisco Ávila, Antonio de la Serna, the two last being natives of Oajaca; Gregorio de Beteta, who became bishop of Cartagena; Pedro de la Veña, made bishop of Quito in Ecuador; Pedro de Feria, afterward bishop of Chiapas; Domingo de Salazar, prior of Antequera, first bishop and archbishop of the Philippines, who died soon after receiving the pallium in Madrid.

Juan Ramirez was a friar of Mexico and provincial, and served among the Muztecs; after which he went to Spain to defend the Indians, and died there. Juan de Bohorques, provincial, was later bishop of Venezuela, and subsequently of Oajaca. Domingo de Santa Ana, noted for his purity, found himself imperilled by the blandishments of a rich and handsome Indian princess, who was desperately enamored of him. As he rejected all her proffered caresses, she one night entered his room, and while he slept threw herself into his arms. Awakening, he succeeded in getting out of bed, and with a shoe beat the tempter till she screamed.[2] People rushed in from the church and discovered the much abashed cacica; the good father meanwhile looking as if he had been fighting a legion of demons.

Tomás del Espíritu Santo was one of the great lights of the order. Domingo de Aguiñaga was a noted minister and prelate; as prior in Mexico he was exemplary, and as vicar-general much beloved. He

  1. Guerrero was a man of letters, and became the provincial of the order in Mexico, before the province was divided. Burgoa, Geog. Descrip., Oaj., 1. 43
  2. 'Le dió tales golpes á la desenrroscada serpiete.' Burgoa, Geog. Descrip., Oaj., i. 88.