l aid, for
it was necessary that the gates of the city be tightly shut and the
necessary guards posted. It was a true inspiration from heaven not to
abandon that convent (now that of San Joan Baptista), since--as was
within a very short time made evident, through the care and presence of
Ours--so great a number of Christians came so frequently from all parts
to confession and to holy communion that four ministers daily have
not been sufficient. They numbered some Spaniards and many negroes,
both free and slave, and more Indians of different nations, who came
to seek in that refuge relief from their sins and failings. They found
that convent always open day and night and the religious ever ready
to give them the health and life of their souls. After several years
the province determined that that house should be made a college,
and accordingly that was carried out. The arts and theology were
studied there, for, although instruction and piety join hands, it
was not advisable that the college and the house be in one place. In
that place rest three incorruptible bodies of the first founders,
and no one knows who they are. All are surprised that they can remain
so well preserved in a country so damp and hot, and it is regarded
by all as a miracle. That college, besides the aforesaid, possessed
a great treasure in the image of our Lady of Health. On bringing it
from Mexico, that image gave proofs of her favors not a few times on
the sea, and perfecting and increasing them in the islands through her
mercy. Her installation was celebrated with great pomp and ostentation
in the presence of the royal Audiencia and the city, which made very
Catholic and pious demonstrations in the feast. The church was filled
in a short time with vows and memorials which the faithful offered. A
brotherhood was founded under the title of Transito de Nuestra Senora
[_i.e._, "Transit of our Lady"], whose chief procession may be seen
and is solemnized on the third Friday of Lent, with the greatest
ostentation and display that one could express in writing or in
speech. The members of the confraternity march clad in very neat white
tunics with blue escapulars, bearing the attributes of the queen of
the skies on pendants of the same color and embroidered at a great
cost--with a numerous accompaniment of children dressed as angels,
who at intervals march along singing praises to the Virgin. It is
not an easy task to count the large tapers and lighted candl