would govern rightly because of his prudence, and beyond doubt his
government was all that. The province during his term had the honor
and repute that was proper. Since his method of procedure was alike
for all the religious, it was necessary in the following chapter to
retire the provincial to his devotion; and one may infer that in that
it acted more for the common welfare than its own.

Thereupon, the voting religious being assembled, cast their votes,
without any opposition, for Fray Juan de Montesdoza, [2] son of
the house at Méjico, a native of the city of Utrera, near Sevilla
in Andalucia. He was a most excellent provincial, for one always
recognized in him a remarkable integrity of morals, and he was much
given to prayer and divine worship. He endeavored as earnestly as
possible to give his whole being to the order, and not to be found
lacking in his ministry. He visited his entire province whenever
possible; and that which has always been most annoying to the
provincials in respect to its visitation--namely, the province of
Bisayas--was not troublesome to him, for he visited it. He did not
hesitate at the suffering or the dangers of navigation, which at
times is wont to be especially perilous, because of the many storms
that generally invade the islands, and the not few enemies. He was
considered lost, for he was not heard of for more than four months; for
they wrote from the Bisayas that he had already embarked for Manila,
and he had not arrived. Finally, the Lord was pleased to bring him
to our doors when he was least expected. God is a Father of pity,
and attends to His children (and more to His servants) when they
find themselves most in need of Him. He was received in the convent
of Manila by many people, for all revered him as a servant of God,
loved him as a father, and respected him as a true prelate.