Carta que escriuio el pe. M. francisco a los pes. Micer paulo Jman da beira y a los otros hermanos del colegio de goa, scrita de malaqua a 16 de dezembre 1545.
Transcription
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[Page 1] [Texto Principal] Carta que escreveu o p. na fr. António de Paiva, p. F. Paulo /m Dabera e aos homos Cher do collegio de Goa. Sria dirimata qua a 16 de dez. 1545. Charissimi Patres et amati mei, La graça e amor de X. nos S. seja sempre em nossa asfuda e favor. Amen. Com o p. commendador: que por escrever largamente como estava apartada para o Malacá e que por serem as minas della não tão boas como persuadíramos: fin- de lá e nós para Ambueno, aonde há muitos pagãos e muita disposição que se faça- rem mais; de lá vir escreveis a disposição da terra e o fruto que nela se pode fazer e que a experiência que tenho do Cabo de Comorin e de Goa e da que passando adiós terras de Anbueno e das partes de Malacão segundo viredes, mais poderíeis servir a Deus e a confirmar a sanctíssima fé de X. nos S. Vireis escrever: que esta carta por pido Charissimi Patres et amati mei, Joam Dabera e Antº Criminal, que vista isto nos faça preter para ir des ao Cabo de Comorin, onde fareis meu serviço a Deus, que estando em Goa, onde achareis, ao p. fra Man- silhas, o qual sabe a terra e o modo que haveis de determinar nela, e o p. fr.º de Mangulao estivera em Goa, creys todos S. e por amor de Deus vos rogo que não façais o contrayjo e não deixeis que nenhuma cousa vos impeça ao Cabo de Comorin, e o p. Nicoláo Alana- loto ficará em S. Paulo ensinando gramática assim como de Por- tugal dema ordenado e que to confio de vossas caridades: que não fareis o contrayjo do que escrevo. Não digo mais. Vlicier Paulo Regois muito que amor de Jesus que me exijr muito que esta cousa e sobre tudo que ir em comendo: que sejais obedientes aos que têm cargo de governar a essa casa e em ello me fareis obediência.
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[Page 1] [Texto Principal] Cartas da Índia grandíssimo prazer por-gi yo alla estuiera mínima coisa. houje conta a vontade dellas que têm cargos desta someta Casa: somos obedecer-lhes em tudo o que me mandarem e que to espero endiar q os tem dado a sentir dentro em vna alma ou nenhuma coisa lhe podeis tomar firme quanto q seu amor negar outra preparado luto. Soremx meus novos de todos os ps morirher e do ps do dema- gillas conta naue que partire pa Malaca e seja q me fornece muito largo q e muito holgarei com vos Cartas, rogos, char her que vogueis sempre a Deus q my en veas ducotar orações Sanctor Sacrificio que q terras ando ad detengo muita nece- ssidade de vnas orações; alla vai Simon Botello, amigo da someta casa, el os dará novos particularmente; muyas soys om- cho seu amigo q ser o homem muito de bie e amigo de Deus e da X. dad peço-os que tenhais sua amizade; el fez-me my bie comigo mandando-me dar todo plo necessário po my embarcação com muito amor e caridade. vos S le dou o alardão que yo lhe fiquei em muita obrigação. Deus meo S har her enf no Junte em sua someta sha pois nesta vida andamos tão esper- ridos de vós dos outros de Malaca a 16 de dezembro. anno de 1545. [Assinaturas] Amar a sigt [Referências arquivísticas] 5 [Anotações marginais] (No topo, à direita): Aizava [Texto adicional no rodapé] Star pº ado pº di nesta carta lo obedecido e xa por Eme? Enrada la hidad acargo o collegio desafambo. pco & ainda entao nas era entregue a capº. At buga e como alas vedox da fazenda exdos q hidad o mage afunto / SAn Catteanca fiz o mesmo pº d outras cartas & obedecid por fereduz.
Translation
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— TRANSLATION —
[Page 1] [Main Text] Letter written by Father António de Paiva, S.J., to Fathers Paulo Dabera and João Criminal (Cher), of the College of Goa. Dated 16 December 1545.
Most Reverend Fathers and dearly beloved brethren,
May the grace and love of Christ our Lord ever abide with us in steadfastness and favour. Amen.
With regard to the Father Commissary: having written at length concerning his intended departure for Malacca—and having since determined to abandon that plan, owing to the mines there proving less promising than had been represented—we have instead resolved to proceed to Ambueno, where numerous pagans reside and where conditions appear far more favourable for missionary work. From there, you are to write back describing the disposition of the land and the spiritual fruit likely to be gathered there; likewise, drawing upon my own experience of Cape Comorin and Goa, as well as of the territories traversed en route to Ambueno and those adjacent to Malacca, you will be better placed to discern how most effectively to serve God and to confirm the Most Holy Faith of Christ our Lord.
I therefore earnestly request—most reverend Fathers and dearly beloved brethren—that you dispatch a letter forthwith, directing Fathers João Dabera and António Criminal (Cher) to proceed without delay to Cape Comorin, where they shall render service both to God and to me. Upon arrival in Goa—which you shall find en route—you will meet Father Francisco Mansilhas, who is intimately acquainted with the region and with the manner in which your apostolic labours there ought to be ordered. Moreover, Father Francisco de Mangulao has recently been in Goa; you may rely upon his counsel. In the name of God, I implore you not to act contrary to this instruction, nor to permit any obstacle whatsoever to hinder your journey to Cape Comorin.
Father Nicolau Alanaloto shall remain at São Paulo, teaching grammar—as previously ordained from Portugal—and I entrust him to your pastoral care and goodwill, confident that you will uphold the directive herein set forth.
I add no further words.
Paulo Regois sends his respectful greetings and commends you fervently to the love of Jesus Christ, urging you especially to cultivate obedience toward those entrusted with the governance of that house; in doing so, you shall render obedience also to me.
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— TRANSLATION —
[Page 1] [Main Text]
Letters from India
I take the greatest pleasure in writing to you, and I would have done so sooner had even the slightest opportunity presented itself. Today I write at your behest, as those entrusted with authority over this humble House have instructed me to do. We are wholly obedient to their directives in all matters they command of me; and I trust that you will send word soon, for they have already made their wishes known to me—so deeply rooted is their affection that nothing could possibly dislodge it, however much their love may appear to deny other considerations, or however grievous the mourning they bear.
I send you news of all our brethren: some have passed away, and others—among them the brethren of Demagillas—are aboard the ship now bound for Malacca. Should this vessel prove to be well-provisioned—which I very much hope it will—I shall be greatly comforted by your letters, petitions, and charitable intercessions. I earnestly beg you always to commend me to God in your prayers and in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; for I find myself in great spiritual need of your prayers wherever my labours carry me. Simon Botello, a trusted friend of this humble House, travels with this ship and will convey to you more particular accounts in person. He is a man of singular integrity, deeply devoted to God and to the Faith; I therefore most earnestly entreat you to hold him in your friendship and esteem. He has shown me extraordinary kindness, arranging with great love and charity that all necessities for my embarkation should be duly provided. I remain profoundly indebted to him—and to you—for this generous assistance.
May God preserve you, and may He unite us all in His holy Church. For indeed, in this life, we stand in such urgent need of your prayers—and of those of our brethren in Malacca—that I write to you from there on 16 December, in the year of Our Lord 1545.
[Signatures]
Amar a sigt
[Archival References]
5
[Marginal Annotations]
(Top right): Aizava
[Additional Footnote Text]
*Stare pro ad pro di*: In this letter, the instructions given have been duly obeyed; and likewise, upon receipt, the matter was placed under the charge of the College of São Thomé (São Thomé College, Goa). At that time, it had not yet been formally handed over to the Captain; rather, oversight of the estate’s finances fell to the *vedor da fazenda* (auditor of revenues), who reported directly to the Viceroy. At São Catharina, I followed the same procedure for other letters and complied fully with the instructions issued by the *feredor* (i.e., the fiscal officer or auditor).