The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-12
THE PHILIPPINE FRIARS
PERSONALLY THEY ARE AGREEABLE
AND CULTIVATED MEN.
The System Il Faulty Rather Than the
individuals, Therefore These
Priests Must "Go."

to be credited. deserve little sympathy for
the combination of circumstances which is
almost certain TO lead to the close OF their
work in the islands. According to pub
lished statements they have been leading
easy lives. accommodating property Of great
value, and caring little for the welfare of
the natives among whom they have lived.
This is but one side of the story. Coming
in direct contact with individual members
of the orders. as have done. one learns
that. although the system may be faulty,
some at least of the individuals are earn
est workers. anxious for the advancement
Of the people under their care, and sin
cerely regretting the conditions which. they
frankly admit, make their return to the
places in which they have, some of them.
worked for years, inadvisable, If not impos-
sible.
The friars, as I have found them. are
little different from ether cultured, edu-
Gated Spanish-speaking people who have
adapted their lives to the conditions found
in the tropics. My first impression. l ad-
NIT, was that they lead an easy life. spend
ing much time In idleness and pleasure
seeking. But If their own stories are to be
believed life is by no means so pleasant to
them as IL is monotonous. In the years
that are past these men, assigned to par
ishes throughout the provinces, have
worked to win the natives to the Roman
Catholic faith; to educate them UP to their
own standard of living. and to erect large
churches, converts and colleges as monu-
ments to their faith. With downcast spir-
its these priests now tell of earthquakes
which have thrown to the ground the
buildings laboriously erected; of insurrec-
tions which have not only resulted In the
destruction of their homes and churches,
but which have taken their parishes away
from them.
Have they been faithful to their duties?
One priest. told me he had spent twenty
seven years in one parish with absolutely
no vacation. 1 asked another whether he
cared to return to his parish. Certainly"
he replied, sit is the most natural thing
that 1 should want to return. for 1 have
spent my life and fortune in Illicos Norte.
and 1t alone seems like home to me-"
'Why. then, do you not return?" asked.
He sadly replied: "I did return, but could
not remain. The natives gave me five days
to leave the province, and I left to save
my life. Filipino mucho malo." This same
during the instructions. Another priest
whom / met carried scar from one ear
to within an inch of the other from a
wound inflicted by Filipino bolo.
PAST AND PRESENT CONDITIONS.
The friars had easier times when pur-
suing their work in the provinces than they
now find in Manila. Most of them had
splendid living quarters in connection with
their churches, converts or colleges. with
servants who made domestic life easy for
them. Everything they wanted was brought
and served by the obedient muchachos.
Forced out of the provinces, however, they
came to Manila for refuge, where a few
have been assigned to special duties, but
most have been without employment and
all have had to live under strict rules.
Their incomes from their churches have
stopped. it has been impossible for them
to see to the cultivation OF their lands, and
they are having an unpleasant time gen.
orally.
The routine of each day in Manila begins
for the friars with early mass, followed by
the usual Spanish breakfast of a roll and
coffee or chocolate. The morning, until IL
o'clock, is spent in study, teaching or such
special work as may be assigned, and at
that hour dinner is served. The meal is
served In courses, and consists of chicken,
fish, sausage, beef, vegetables, fruits, wines
and cigarettes. Two hours after dinner are
spent in sleep, after which routine work is
again followed until 6 o'clock, when an
other meal is served, almost equaling in
Importance that Of midday, the principal
difference being that at the later meal rice
forms an important part.
From to o'clock the friars are at lib
erty, and it is at this time of day that
they are most seen on the streets, their
rustling skirts and heavy tread being heard
in all parts OF the city. 1t is at this time
that the friars make their social calls and
most of them. may say. are expert along
social lines. taking great pleasure in the
conversation of the senoritas, who, on
their part, show great interest in the friars
Living. as 1 did. at one of the Spanish
homes in Manila, 1 met a great many of
the priests who thus came to pay their re-
spects to the ladies of the house. Entering
the house. they at once, after greeting
those present, light cigarettes and smoke
constantly during the call The ladies see
that they are supplied with cigarettes, and
serve wine at least once during the call
Inc ILldTS are leduluk Spirits III social as
well as religious life among the Spanish
residents of Manila, but 1 was surprised to
find that the different orders were SEEM
ingly on not very good terms with each
other. Members OF one order never made
calls with those of another, and If those
of one order chance to call at a house
where those of another order are being en-
tertained the first corners make haste to
go away. Perhaps they are not unfriendly,
but 1t looks as though they were.
THE TYPICAL FRIAR.
/ called one day on a prominent August
inian priest who lived in a convent at
tached to the Augustinian Church, in the
walled city Manila. His appearance and
surroundings will serve as type of many
of the friars in Manila. found him a man
Of fine physique, with the crown of his head
shaver and surrounded with well-brushed
hair. His forehead was high and broad,
with heavy eyebrows shading large, ex-
pressive eyes. His full. well-rounded face
reminded me Of many American Catholic
priests. He wore long white robe. cover
ing all other wearing apparel save his
| broad, coarse shoes A string of beads,
with a crucifix attached, hung about his
neck
His surroundings were also interesting.
| After a hearty handshake and an English
good afternoon" he invited me TO a seat
near a center table In his room. The walls
Of the room were of smooth native mahog-