adults. There was, however, a goodly number of catechumens, who were
very earnest in seeking baptism. Those who are baptized seem to have
known for many years the things of our holy faith, to judge by their
knowledge of its mysteries, especially those concerning Christ our Lord
and His most holy mother. They highly esteem the confessional, and when
they become sick they clamor at once for the father, and find relief
in making their confession. A sick man said that day and night he
thought of the father, who was absent, and desired him for confession,
adding that what most aggravated his sickness was to know that he
did not have the father at hand for that purpose. His relatives,
desirous of taking him to another place, had no success, nor could
they persuade him to go; for he maintained that they were about to
take him where he must die without confession, and where there was no
church in which he could be buried after death. As soon as he learned
that the father had arrived, he went, although very ill, to make his
confession, weeping for gladness, and never ceasing to render thanks
to the Lord that he had permitted the father to arrive at such a time;
and he declared that he could die consoled, now that he had made his
confession. During Holy Week there was a great concourse of people
who devoutly attended the divine services, keeping the receptacle
of the most holy sacrament handsomely adorned. On Holy Thursday, in
the afternoon, after the sermon a very devout procession was formed,
by which the people were more thoroughly instructed in the faith,
and taught what Christ our Lord had done for our salvation. The most
pleasing and touching sight was to see all the children disciplining
themselves with scourges which they themselves had made for that
day. At Easter some Spaniards chanced to be here, who augmented the
solemnity of the occasion with salvos from their arquebuses. Peace was
restored between many married people who had been living in discord;
and some abuses were corrected, especially two very baneful practices