_ 95 _ and Fathers, because of the way that Father Superior Francisco(A), ordered those of us who are scattered throughout these pagan provinces, to follow him, as a good shepherd, in obedience, doctrine and example. We must rightly learn from him until death comes, especially me, Superior Francisco had a great desire to visit it. This, he was unable to do because of his journey to Japan, and he fixed a period of three years until I should receive a message from him from Japan, for me to go to China or anywhere else he ordered me.(B) It seemed to him that he might countermand my orders to go to Persia or Turkey, where a few days earlier, some religious, a Franciscan friar, with another man, a devout Christian(C) who went about dressed like a Turk, had been martyred. The man and some of his companions died with great courage, shot with arrows, according to what an apostate Genoese, who made his peace with God there, told me; and a second Gencese told me the other (story) of the friar. However, as a great sinner, I did not have as much devotion (A) See the Order of Francis Xavier in EX II 92, 21. (B) See EX II 98, 34. (C) A former custom that Father Jeronimo of the Holy Spirit wrote about with his companion (VI 230-1); however, he says nothing about the year of the martyrdom. Perhaps Barzeu mentions this.
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