services during lent of 1608, the bishops of Oajaca and Michoacan acting as his assistants. The crown also favored the society at this time. Since 1582 the college of San Pedro y San Pablo, established originally by the first provincial, had suffered many vicissitudes, and when abandoned by the Jesuits in consequence of the pretentious behavior of its patrons, fell into decay. By a cédula of May 29, 1612, the management was again placed in the hands of the order, and the Jesuits took formal possession in January 1618, after which it was incorporated with the college of San Ildefonso, although under the royal patronage.[1].
Another establishment of similar character and under the same name was founded some years later in Puebla, when Ildefonso de la Mota, bishop of that see, transferred to the society a church and several houses for the foundation of a college,[2] with chairs for theology and philosophy. Viceroy Cerralvo later endowed it with the privilege of bestowing university degrees.[3]
Since 1618 the Jesuits had also been presented with the curacy of Tepotzotlan, where they had a house for novices, and labored gratuitously as the natives could not maintain a regular parish priest.[4] Occasionally disputes arose, apparently originated by claims for greater independence from episcopal jurisdiction; but favorable reports of the ruling viceroys caused the society to remain in undisturbed possession for many years.
Stimulated by the success of their labors, as well
- ↑ Florencia, Hist. Prov. Jesus, 174-80; Recop. Ind., i. 212. At the same time the statutes for its government were issued. Alegre, ii. 96-103
- ↑ For some unknown reason the bishop abandoned his original project to establish a hospital for natives. Alegre, Hist. Comp. Jesus, ii. 155-7.
- ↑ The bishop died before the chairs were established; and then the church of Puebla claimed that the donation was null on the ground that it had been made by the deceased after receiving the last sacraments, and therefore unlawfully, a statement which is refuted by Alegre. Hist. Comp. Jesus, ii. 155-8, 193-4. Later a compromise settled the dispute.
- ↑ Ribas, Hist. Triumphos, 731-2, says it was the only curacy that the society held.
