had excellent facilities for increasing the practice
of pious exercises--not only maintaining those of former days, but
adding others which were new--in return for which, some notable and
edifying events occurred. First, the students founded the congregation
of La Anunciata in imitation of other colleges of our Society, where it
flourishes with so much distinction and piety. Although those who began
it were but six, it grew apace, inasmuch as it was a work of God and
of His most glorious mother. As the rays of this light spread through
the city, it ravished the eyes and hearts of many laymen of various
conditions, filling them with desire to enter this congregation;
and in less than eight months its membership grew so large that it
was necessary to form two congregations from the one, separating
the laymen from the students, and assigning to each congregation
its officials. At public feasts, however, they assemble together,
and celebrate their services in the chapel. These pious and devout
exercises, with the example and sweet odor [of piety] displayed in
their conduct, and the benefits resulting from it to their own souls,
would require a separate narrative.

The discipline, which formerly was practiced during Lent, was now
extended to every Friday in the year; and on every day thus appointed,
without missing one, many people of distinction, and those from all
classes, repair [to the church] to scourge themselves. Every Sunday
afternoon many people, whether or not members of the congregation,
assemble in the church to hear a short sermon, in which are explained
the divine mandates, accompanied by some pleasing example, an
interesting story or edifying narrative. The father-visitor began
these sermons with good results, which were soon realized in the
changed lives of many persons--especially one, who, coming by chance to
hear the sermons, was--although bent on leading a shameless life and
giving loose rein to his appetites--brought to himself by one sermon
and began to lead a new life. There was also begun, that same year,
the devotion practiced by certain cities; namely, that of accepting
saints by lot. This was done on All Saints' day, with a great concourse
of the citizens. There was a certain person who, falling into the
sea, with many others who were drowned, in the expedition against
the Englishman, and being already overcome by the waves, remembered
St. Nicanor, who had fallen to him by lot; and calling out to t