Letter of Nicolo Lancilotto to Ignatius of Loyola, in Rome: From Goa, November 5, 1546 (D! I 131-146)

Abstract

Summary: 1. Master Diogo is converting many of the natives to the faith. He has begun a school for boys and is being helped in this by Miguel Vaz. The revenues of the college. 2. The number of students and what they are being taught. 3. Xavier's travels to various regions. 4. The directors of the college in Goa have been discouraged by the lack of knowledge in the new companions. 5. He is teaching Latin to the boys. He suspects that he has consumption. 6. Xavier has assigned work to each of them through his letters. 7. The weather and people on the Fishery Coast. 8. Two Ceylonese princes have died in Goa. Hopes for the conversion of Ceylon. 9. The goodness and ignorance of Francisco Manstlhas. 10. They are expecting letters from Xavier. 11. The recently arrived companions have been poorly educated. He has been appointed superior by Simao Rodrigues. Some sad facts. 12. A skilled and experienced priest should be sent to India. 13. Xavier is too far away to govern the companions. One of these should be summoned to Europe in order to give a report on India. 14. Only native boys are received into the college. Reasons for this. Impediments to the acceptance of the college by the Society. 15-16. Since India is extremely hot, as many natives as possible should be taught. Reasons why many should come from Europe to instruct them. 17. The talents of the native boys. Their new teacher is not entirely satisfactory. He is sending the constitutions of the college.