Jeronima de la Asuncion,1555-1630

This essay delves into the article ‘Jeronima de la Asuncion (1555-1630) by Jose Victor Z. Torres. This historical essay pointed out that the Order of Poor Clare Nuns was not the first religious order of women in the Philippines.

Arguably they are the oldest existing religious order for women in the archipelago. Torres asserted that the first religious order of women in the country was that of Lady Julia Naito and the Beatas of Miyako who came to the Philippines in 1614 after being persecuted in Japan during the reign of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.

As a background, Mother Jeronima came from a rich and influential family. Her parents trace their noble lineage to the historic city of Toledo. Born on 9 May 1555, Jeronima Yańez y de la Fuente was the third of four daughters. Torres explained that her father Don Pedro wished that their third child would be a boy to carry the Yańez name.

However, he was frustrated and caught with rage to find out that his wife gave birth to another girl. The baby’s paternal grandmother admonished Don Pedro, saying: “Someday this child who you despised will bring heavenly honor on this family. She will become a saint.” Accordingly, he regained his senses and accepted the child. Jeronima was brought up under the auspices of their devout religious life and she grew up under the loving care of her parents.

Years later she decided to enter the religious life under the care of the Poor Clares. Her parents denied their permission first but later conceded to her plans. On 15 August 1570, Jeronima entered the convent as a novice. On 17 August 1571, she took her solemn vows as a nun of the Order of the Poor Clares. Torres says, “She took the Jeronima de la Asuncion in honor of the day she left the outside world forever – the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

Let it be recalled that Spain’s colonial project in the Philippines was anchored on three points: 1) establish a trade and commerce endeavor 2) convert the indigenous inhabitants of the archipelago, and 3) establish a religious mission to China and Japan. By the 17^th century Manila was already a “thriving religious center”.

In the Walled City (Intramuros) churches and convents of different religious orders were already established. But there was a clamor among Catholic women (i.e., widows and spouses of soldiers) for convents of nuns since religious work in the country was male dominated. Initially, some citizens and officials in Manila objected to this plan arguing on two grounds, namely: 1) Spanish population in the country was still low and 2) the colonist were still getting used to their new place. However, the supporters of this plan initiated actions by requesting King Philip II and the Superior-General of the Franciscan Order in Spain to approve the request but there was no immediate response. Accordingly, “The plan was shelved and would remain so for the next twenty years.”

Many years later, Mother Jeronima was given the go signal to proceed in the founding and establishment of a “monastery of nuns of Saint Clare” in Manila. Permissions were drawn and granted. On 26 April 1620, at the age of 65 Mother Jeronima left Toledo together with eight members of the Manila foundation departed for Seville and after more than a month there moved to San Lucar de Barrameda awaiting their voyage to the New World.

An interesting attribute of this article is its descriptive account of the arduous voyage experienced by travelers crossing the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean in order to reach the Philippine Islands: the months of waiting for the galleon ship to board into plus months of recuperating from the journey from Spain to Mexico before proceeding to another long voyage from Acapulco to Manila.

Torres pointed out: “The voyage from Acapulco to Manila was a four-month trip through rough waters and bad weather. It was no luxury to sail on a galleon even for the hardiest man.” Along the journey, one of the nuns accompanying Mother Jeronima died. Several hardships were encountered in the voyage plus the diseases like scurvy and beriberi can decimate both passengers and crew during the course of the voyage. Another danger posed to the voyage was the Dutch naval blockade going to Manila and the threat of galleon ships being captured by marauding pirates.

Fortunately, for Mother Jeronima and her group they were able to survive the trans-oceanic journey: “On August 5, 1621, Mother Jeronima and her companions disembarked at the Puerta de Almacenes (Almacen Gate) of Intramuros. It was exactly one year, three months and ten days since they left Spain.”

On 1 November 1621 Mother Jeronima formally founded the Order of Poor Clares in the Philippines. Until her death on 22 October 1630 at the age of 75 years old, Mother Jeronima devoted her life to the religious mission in spite of the climate and environment in the country.

As a conclusion, the article provided an insight on the challenges encountered by the travelers who came to the archipelago. It was not an easy journey after all. It also showcased the sacrifice and dedication of the early missionaries who came to the country of which would see its decline and abuses in the 19^th century.