It has been revealed to a holy nun, and to
one of our friars of rare virtue, that those who are now living will
see the conversion of this people. I can assure you that the labor is
great, and the workers few; for there are missions in these islands
where, on account of the lack of religious, we can have no more than
one; and he has more than two thousand souls in his charge, and four
villages where he says mass every feast-day, with the permission of the
superior, though one village is two leguas or more from another. It
is a matter for wonder that even one religious is left, after all
this labor and service in so hot and enervating a country."
The original of this letter was addressed to the father master Fray
Alonso Tamariz, formerly prior of this convent of Sevilla.
This information has been sent to the most reverend father-general
of the Order of St. Dominic, that his most reverend Paternity may
prepare those under his command to continue this great enterprise,
and go to those regions, whence so great results are hoped and desired
for the increase and propagation of the holy Catholic faith.
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