verend bishop of Sebu, in the course of his visits
among his flocks, determined to go for this purpose to the island of
Bohol--which, as we have said, is about eight leguas to the south
of the island of Sebu--taking as his companion Father Francisco
Gonzalez of our Society. We learned of the outcome of this visit
through that father's account of it in one of his letters, as follows:
"I think that your Reverence knows of the visit which his Lordship
made to the island of Bohol; but, as it was my lot to accompany him,
I shall relate to your Reverence, if only in outline, something of
what befell us there. He visited in the island of Bohol eight villages
which are instructed by the fathers of the Society, and confirmed
therein three thousand Christians, spending about twenty days in the
visit. Most remarkable was the fervor which resulted from it, for the
Christians made excellent preparation for receiving the sacrament,
many of them, in all the villages, making their confessions. Besides
this, he had previously trained and examined them, all being assembled
in the church, in the catechism, causing them to repeat aloud the
principal mysteries of our faith. A sermon was preached them wherein
they were exhorted to feel much grief at having offended our Lord. At
the conclusion of the sermon, they all fell upon their knees, and
offered audible acts of contrition and of love to God. They were
next asked if they desired to receive the sacrament of confirmation;
and they answered aloud that they desired it, in order that our Lord
might pardon their sins and strengthen them in the faith. Then, his
Lordship confirmed them, with a short exhortation at the end of the
ceremony, by which they were all greatly consoled and fortified in
the truth of our holy faith. This result was greatly aided by the love
and so paternal affection which the lord bishop manifested to them not
only in the church but in their houses--going to visit the sick, and
confirming them in their very cabins; giving alms, ransoming slaves,
and clothing the poor; and performing many other deeds of mercy. His
Lordship was especially delighted at beholding those new flocks of
his so well instructed, when they were answering the questions on
catechism, which was done in the presence of his Lordship." Such is
the brief account given by the father.

All these are but flames of that celestial fire which we said had
taken hold of this island, and with which even the little