04-009 [Misc.]
1878.07.16 Cebu
From: Fr. José Vilaclara
To: Jose Rizal
He asks Rizal for altar designs – Advises Rizal to frequent the sacraments – Invites him to spend his vacation at the Jesuit mission house.
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JHS
Cebu, 16 July 1878
VERY ESTEEMED IN CHRIST MY FORMER STUDENT JOSE RIZAL,
I received your letter of 24 March towards the end of June, a few days before my fever compelled me to leave my dear Mission of Dipolog. You continue as until the present, always employing your time piously and achieve the best results in virtue and science. I felicitate you with all my heart and you will do it also in my name to Viejo and Jovellanos. For God’s sake, do not fail to attend the Congregation and to frequent the sacraments which are the most efficacious means of preventing one from getting lost and of guarding against the thousand tricks with which the enemy of the soul will snare you.
If you only knew how many times I have remembered you and how many other times you have been the subject of conversation of the fathers, my companions in the Mission. We have already agreed to invite you to spend your vacation here and to draw some altar designs that some inspired sculptors can use who, until now, for lack of models, turn out very inferior things. If I continue with the Mission, consider yourself invited for next year, and I assure you that you will not spend a poor vacation on those beautiful beaches and fertile fields which yield one hundred per cent to one who wishes to cultivate them.
Could you not do me or draw for me even though only with pencil and plainly some designs of the best altars in the city and copy the plan of our future church? You could afterwards give it to one of the fathers so that he can send it to me while I am here at Cebu where communications…
Next time tell me about other former students of the Ateneo. What career is Moises Santiago pursuing? Is Mr. Eleisegui still the prefect of the Congregation? How is the health of my dear Anacleto del Rosario? And others? Farewell, be very good and pray for me so that one day, not distant, we can see each other and solace ourselves in heaven.
Your former professor who desires your greatest good and offers himself to assist you to achieve it.
JOSE VILACLARA, S.J.