a certain father was setting out from one of the villages that
he had been visiting, in order to return to the chief town [of the
mission], an incident befell him which the father himself relates,
in a letter which is in part as follows: "In this village there was
a sick man, an infidel, whom the father had visited, and provided
with someone to instruct and catechize him for holy baptism. As the
father thought that the malady was making but slow progress, he left
the sick man thus. But God, who chose to comfort that soul so desirous
for its salvation, caused such a change in the weather that, although
the sky was serene and clear when they went to visit the sick man,
a rainstorm suddenly arose, so violent that it seemed as if our Lord
were constraining the father (as he did the glorious St. Benedict)
to halt and abandon his journey in order that that soul might enter
by the true way into heaven. With this he began to instruct the sick
man very slowly; and, having taught him what was sufficient, gave
him holy baptism, to the great consolation and joy of both. At once
the rainstorm ceased, and the sky became so clear that the father,
leaving that poor man much consoled--or, more correctly, rich in
celestial gifts--made his journey very comfortably. A few days having
passed without his making any inquiry about the sick man, an Indian
came to the father, and said to him: 'Father, that Indian whom thou
didst baptize, coming hither, our Lord has taken.'

"During Lent and Holy Week they performed their penances with
great devotion, shedding their blood with such fervor that it became
necessary to restrain them. So strong and ardent was their desire to do
penance that those who could not procure woolen shirts would not go in
the procession, waiting for those garments already stained with blood,
in order that they might bathe these anew with their own. Nor was
there less fervor among the children, who sought permission [to take
the discipline], even at a very tender age, and became disconsolate
indeed if it were denied them. These new Christians practiced another
sort of penance during the last two weeks of Lent, which caused great
edification. In the early evening they went out, clad in their woolen
shirts; their hands extended in the form of a cross, were bound to a
piece of wood; and from each hand hung a very heavy stone. In this
manner they went about the village, halting finally at the church
whence they had set out. Ther