Mediterranean Sea, on board the Melbourne
After Marseille, magnificent weather, tranquil sea, paradisiacal voyage – Rizal eager to return home – Something is pushing him to it – Luck or misfortune – Many missionaries on board: Franciscans, Jesuits, and Bishop Volenteri – The old bishop sympathizes with the fate of the Philippines – He spoke against the wealth and abuses of the friars on the country – And he repeated: “They are so rich, but very rich!”
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Mediterranean Sea, on board the Melbourne
22 October 1891
Jose Rizal
My Brother,
Since we left Marseille we have always had until now magnificent weather. Calm sea, smooth as a mirror, blue sky, cooling fresh air. It is truly a paradisiacal voyage!
The passengers of the first class exceed 80. All languages are spoken; I speak with everyone. There are only two Spaniards with us who are going to Emuy. I have become acquainted with the husband; the wife is shy and speaks only Spanish.
The nearer I get to my country, the more vehement is my desire to return to the Philippines. I know that everybody considers it a folly, but something is pushing me on. Is this fate or a misfortune? I cannot give up the desire to see my native land.
Tonight, at twelve o’clock, we are arriving at Alexandria but we are only allowed to disembark at 7:00 o’clock in the morning, for all must be closed there at the time of the ship’s arrival. I will write you again from Port Said or Suez.
On board are many missionaries: Franciscans, Jesuits, and a bishop, Msgr. Volenteri, who had lived in the Philippines about 23 years. This blessed old man sympathizes deeply with my country and talks against the wealth and abuses of the friars in the Philippines. I wished you had heard him talk; he thinks exactly as you do. He describes the Philippines as a paradise, but abused and exploited. I was deeply moved and his words have made my convictions more solid and firm. He is a man of about 80 years, frail and small, but spiritual, as it is often said. He still remembered the [Filipino] priests who had been executed and he spoke of them with compassion and admiration.[1] Speaking of the friars he said repeatedly: “Yes, they are excessively rich, but excessively rich!”
The Franciscans [Italians] and the Jesuits [French] esteem me. They don’t know what I have done and I don’t want to tell them, as I don’t wish to torment these good and simple young men, full of zeal, who are going to China. There is one of them, who has been in China twice before, is somewhat rude, a kind of Father Damaso,[2] but he is good, frank, and laughs heartily when I tell him a little story. We enjoy playing chess together. He is from the Tyrol and is called Fuchs. I call him Father Volpe [fox] when he plays a nasty trick! He is a good chap, a Father Damaso without pride and malice.
I embrace you and I greet your family.
Yours,
Rizal
03-667 [Reformists]
[1] He refers to t he Gomburza executions, when Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora were garroted following the 1872 Cavite Mutiny.
[2] A character in his novel Noli me tangere .