second term of one of his successors, Alonso de la Veracruz, strenuous exertions were made by the order to secure for the religious orders the tithes paid by the natives.[1]
The discipline prescribed by the rules becoming relaxed, to the scandal of the order, Provincial Medina Rincon, a man of much equanimity though capable of sternness when occasion demanded it, summoned to his presence in Culhuacan the offending members and despatched them to Spain. They attempted remonstrance, and even bluster, but the provincial was firm.[2] So large was the number thus offending that some of the convents had to be abandoned in consequence, but the progress of the order was not retarded thereby, and good discipline was restored. At this time the Philippines were under the province of Mexico, Which supplied them with such missionaries as it could spare. Under Father Adriano's rule the increased number of friars permitted the districts to be divided for more thorough administration.[3]
Father Veracruz brought from Spain the lignum
- ↑ Through the efforts of Veracruz the Indians were much favored in the matter of tithes. He was one of the most learned as well as pious and industrious men the religious orders had in Mexico. After the expiration of his second triennial he went to Spain in 1562, and was the object of high consideration at court. He declined the mitre of Michoacan as well as the office of comisario general of New Spain, Peru, and the Philippines, with residence in Madrid, and a salary from the royal treasury equivalent to that of the Franciscan comisario. While in Madrid he was prior of the convent there and visitador of New Castile; finally, the general made him vicar-general and visitador of New Spain and the Philippines. After a sojourn of 11 years in Spain he returned to Mexico. He served his fourth term as provincial, and then retired to the convent im Mexico, where after a lingering illness he died at the ripe age of 80. His remains were buried in the chapel of the San Pablo College, founded by him. Mich. Prov. S. Nicolas, 33-40; Grijalua, Crón. S. Augustin, 145; Salazar, Méx en 1554, 57-66.
- ↑ 'Vayanse con honra, si no quieren q los embie con deshonra,' he sternly told them. The priests must have continued in their misbehavior in Spain, for the provincial of Castile wrote to Medina Rincon to tell him beforehand something about their character when such friars were sent back, using the quaint expression, 'quando embiase Frayles semejates dixesse. Agua va.' Grijalua, Crón. S. Augustin, 123.
- ↑ Some of the priories retained 40 towns in their charge, others 60; and these at first had been ministered to with great difficulty. Toward the end of his term the same provincial laid before the chapter an order of the general making the provincial's term four years; for himself he declined the extension, and discountenanced the innovation. Grijalua, Cron. S. Augustin, 140.
