The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803; explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the Catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commericial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century; [Vol. 1, no. 13]

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value one another, and, in consequence, to take pleasure in the society and' welfare of their brethren; and
thus are born peace and harmony. Of this and many
other excellent things, much could be said.
But to return to our ministries: with the reenforcement of that year, and the pious inclinations of the
people of Manila (which had been aroused and cultivated in them by the hand of the Lord, through
tribulations), we had excellent facilities for increasing the practice of pious exercises - not only maintaining those of former days, but adding others which
were new-in return for which, some notable
and edifying events occurred. First, the students
founded the congregation of La Anunciata in
imitation of other colleges of our Society, where
it flourishes with so much distinction and piety.
Although those who began it were but six,
it grew apace, inasmuch as it was a work of God
and of His most glorious mother. As the rays of
this light spread through the city, it ravished
the eyes and hearts of many laymen of various conditions, filling them with desire to enter this congregation; and in less than eight months its membership
grew so large that it was necessary to form two congregations from the one, separating the laymen from
the students, and assigning to each congregation its
officials. At public feasts, however, they assemble
together, and celebrate their services in the chapel.
These pious and devout exercises, with the example
and sweet odor [of piety] displayed in their conduct,
and the benefits resulting from it to their own souls,
would require a separate narrative.
The discipline, which formerly was practiced during Lent, was now extended to every Friday in the