Alonzo Sánchez
Encyclopedia
Alonzo Sánchez was a Spanish Jesuit
missionary, one of the first Jesuits in the Philippines
.
, Guadalajara
, Spain, he entered the Society of Jesus at Alcalá on 27 May 1565. He was rector of the college of Navalcarnero
, taught grammar for five years, and in 1579 went to the mission of Mexico
, where he was rector of the seminary.
Early in 1581 he set out for the Philippines with Bishop Domingo de Salazar
. Sánchez and his companion, Antonio Sedeno, and a lay brother, were the first Jesuits in these islands. The bishop made Sánchez his consellor, appointed him to write the acts of the synod of Manila, and, when Sánchez was sent on an embassy to China
, interrupted the synod until Sánchez had returned.
Twice Sánchez was despatched on official business to China, where he met celebrated Jesuit missionaries of that country and from Japan. He was thus able to publish later an account of the state of Christianity in China at the end of the sixteenth century.
By the unanimous vote of all the Spanish officials, civil and religious, of the merchants and other leading citizens, Sánchez was chosen to go to Madrid as representative of the colony in 1586. Sánchez's mission to Philip II of Spain
was very successful, his arguments moving the king to retain the islands, which many of his advisors had been urging him to abandon. From Madrid he went to Rome, and was there welcomed by Pope Sixtus V
, from whom he received many privileges for the Church in the Philippines. In a Brief of 28 June 1591, Pope Gregory XIV
praises the apostolic labours and writings of Sánchez, calling him a true defender of the authority and rights of the Holy See. Pope Innocent IX
addressed to him the Bull Inter felices, in which he lauds his work. Pope Clement VIII
at his request granted various favours to the bishop and clergy in the islands.
Sánchez gave an account of the Jesuit missions in the Philippines to Aquaviva, the General of the Society. It had been proposed to withdraw the fathers from the Archipelago, but Aquaviva, following the plan proposed by Sánchez, determined that the Society should remain, and made the Manila residence a college with Sedeno as its first rector.
Sánchez now asked to be allowed to return to the Philippines, but was sent instead as visitor to some of the Spanish provinces of the Society of Jesus, where there were serious domestic and external troubles. The tact of Sánchez gained the day; he expelled some influential but turbulent members from the Society, and won over the king, the Inquisition, and prominent personages, so that they became better disposed towards the Society.
Sánchez was elected one of the representatives of the Province of Toledo to the Fifth General Congregation of the Society, but he remarked that he had a more important journey to make than the one to Rome. He died twelve days later, at Alcalá de Henares
, on the feast of the Ascension
.
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
missionary, one of the first Jesuits in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
Life
Born in MondéjarMondéjar
Mondéjar is a Spanish Denominación de Origen for wines located in the southeast corner of the province of Guadalajara , around the town of Mondéjar...
, Guadalajara
Guadalajara (province)
Guadalajara is a province of central/north-central Spain, in the northern part of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. It is bordered by the provinces of Cuenca, Madrid, Segovia, Soria, Zaragoza, and Teruel...
, Spain, he entered the Society of Jesus at Alcalá on 27 May 1565. He was rector of the college of Navalcarnero
Navalcarnero
Navalcarnero is a municipality in the Community of Madrid, Spain, located about 31 km from Madrid.Sights include the church of Inmaculada Concepción.-History:...
, taught grammar for five years, and in 1579 went to the mission of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, where he was rector of the seminary.
Early in 1581 he set out for the Philippines with Bishop Domingo de Salazar
Domingo de Salazar
Domingo de Salazar was a Spanish prelate. He became the first bishop of the see of Manila.He was born in La Rioja, in the village of La Bastarda on the banks of the Ebro, Spain.-External links:**...
. Sánchez and his companion, Antonio Sedeno, and a lay brother, were the first Jesuits in these islands. The bishop made Sánchez his consellor, appointed him to write the acts of the synod of Manila, and, when Sánchez was sent on an embassy to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, interrupted the synod until Sánchez had returned.
Twice Sánchez was despatched on official business to China, where he met celebrated Jesuit missionaries of that country and from Japan. He was thus able to publish later an account of the state of Christianity in China at the end of the sixteenth century.
By the unanimous vote of all the Spanish officials, civil and religious, of the merchants and other leading citizens, Sánchez was chosen to go to Madrid as representative of the colony in 1586. Sánchez's mission to Philip II of Spain
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
was very successful, his arguments moving the king to retain the islands, which many of his advisors had been urging him to abandon. From Madrid he went to Rome, and was there welcomed by Pope Sixtus V
Pope Sixtus V
Pope Sixtus V , born Felice Peretti di Montalto, was Pope from 1585 to 1590.-Early life:The chronicler Andrija Zmajević states that Felice's family originated from modern-day Montenegro...
, from whom he received many privileges for the Church in the Philippines. In a Brief of 28 June 1591, Pope Gregory XIV
Pope Gregory XIV
Pope Gregory XIV , born Niccolò Sfondrati, was Pope from 5 December 1590 until his death in 1591.- Early career :...
praises the apostolic labours and writings of Sánchez, calling him a true defender of the authority and rights of the Holy See. Pope Innocent IX
Pope Innocent IX
Pope Innocent IX , born Giovanni Antonio Facchinetti, was Pope from 29 October 1591 to his death on 30 December of the same year...
addressed to him the Bull Inter felices, in which he lauds his work. Pope Clement VIII
Pope Clement VIII
Pope Clement VIII , born Ippolito Aldobrandini, was Pope from 30 January 1592 to 3 March 1605.-Cardinal:...
at his request granted various favours to the bishop and clergy in the islands.
Sánchez gave an account of the Jesuit missions in the Philippines to Aquaviva, the General of the Society. It had been proposed to withdraw the fathers from the Archipelago, but Aquaviva, following the plan proposed by Sánchez, determined that the Society should remain, and made the Manila residence a college with Sedeno as its first rector.
Sánchez now asked to be allowed to return to the Philippines, but was sent instead as visitor to some of the Spanish provinces of the Society of Jesus, where there were serious domestic and external troubles. The tact of Sánchez gained the day; he expelled some influential but turbulent members from the Society, and won over the king, the Inquisition, and prominent personages, so that they became better disposed towards the Society.
Sánchez was elected one of the representatives of the Province of Toledo to the Fifth General Congregation of the Society, but he remarked that he had a more important journey to make than the one to Rome. He died twelve days later, at Alcalá de Henares
Alcalá de Henares
Alcalá de Henares , meaning Citadel on the river Henares, is a Spanish city, whose historical centre is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, and one of the first bishoprics founded in Spain...
, on the feast of the Ascension
Feast of the Ascension
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is one of the great solemnities, in the Christian liturgical calendar, and commemorates the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day from Easter day...
.