nder the spur of the apostolic zeal of
those charitable religious. Although it appears from a royal decree
of February 10, 1617, that permission was given for ten religious
for these islands, one cannot find evidence of the time of their
entrance. They can only be found in the year 1649, with a hospital of
convalescents in Ragongbayan, outside the walls of Manila, with their
superior, the very reverend prior vicar-provincial, Fray Francisco de
Magallanes. [63] Cession was made to him, as the head of his order,
of the old hospital, which was founded by our Fray Juan Clemente. The
Santa Misericordia of Manila, under the title of "Hospital of
the Misericordia of the Franciscan fathers," managed its financial
affairs--as appears from the written statement of the said executive
board of May 13, 1656, and from the permissions of Archbishop Poblete,
of May 11 of the said year, and of Governor Don Sabiniano, of March
22 of the same year. His Catholic Majesty approved that gift by his
royal decree of December 5, 1659. That hospital continually suffered
ever-recurring disasters, until the arrival at these islands of the
very reverend father Fray Antonio Arce, in July of 1726, as its head
and superior. Such has been his zeal and prudence that he has merited
the glorious title of restorer of the hospital order in these islands,
in its organization and affairs. For now, not only is it seen to be
glorified by a very large, distinguished, and devout community, but
they have built a sumptuous church from the foundations, excellent
sick wards, and the house of the religious, almost to the extreme of
perfection. They began so grand and vast a work November 28, 1728,
when his Excellency Archbishop Don Carlos Vermudez blessed the first
stone, in the presence of Governor Marquis de Torre Campo (who began
that building with two thousand pesos, which he gave that afternoon
as alms), and the most noble and prominent people of this community.

590. There was another hospital in Cavite, but it was swallowed up in
the sea. At present a common house is used there as a hospital. The
same thing is true of Zebu. All that will be remedied, as is proved
by experience, if the providence of God do not fail it, as hitherto
it has not.

Discalced Franciscans

591. Our discalced religious came to these islands immediately
following the Augustinian fathers, in the year 1577. They were the
founders of the custodia of San Phelipe, which was later entitl