_Pax Christi vobiscum_

I consider it unnecessary to tell you of the pleasure, joy, and
satisfaction which the letter of Brother Felipe gave me; for certainly
this would be great, considering the desire which I already had to
know about the brother as well as the other pupils and companions,
and likewise because of the love and good-will which I have always
borne towards Brother Felipe--who I am satisfied will repay it, and
will not forget me in his holy prayers. By means of them I hope for
much fervor of spirit and courage in pursuing the way of our Lord,
that I may not be faint-hearted in the continual hardship and toil in
which I trust in our Lord soon to find myself, with the conversion of
these heathen--so wide-spread and far extended, and in so great need of
laborers and workers. This increases our labor, so that our sufferings
are very great--a prolonged martyrdom in which the sons of the Society
pass their lives, exposed to innumerable fatigues, which are incredible
even when seen. I believe, indeed, that you in Europe have no idea
of this apostolic life; for of late years the missionary fathers have
gone about through these mountains alone, poor and half-naked, having
nothing to eat or drink, without shelter or entertainment, on account
of the ferocity of the enemy in Mindanao. These latter came forth this
year with intent to kill all the fathers that should fall into their
hands, on account of a vow which they made to their false god Mahoma
that, if he would give them health, they would pursue the fathers who
are teaching a religion different from their own. Sano, their infamous
king, complied with this vow, and brought out his army of cruel savages
to attack the villages of the Society. They wrought havoc worse than
can be told, sparing no one. When they learned that the fathers had
fled to the mountains, they sent out dogs to capture them and get
them in their power--in the meantime burning houses and churches and
outraging the images. They overtook the good father Juan del Carpio,
[31] whom they cut into pieces and killed with inhuman and unheard-of
cruelty. Before this they had captured our good old man and father,
Domingo Vilanzio, [32] a holy man who died from the ill-treatment
which they inflicted upon him. In short, without detailing at length
the glorious ministries of the Society in Filipinas, suffice it to
say that fathers who have been through it all affirm that Paraguai
[33] was but matter for