Pagina 635 de 1118

In 1580, he declared his resolution to devote himself to the

ministry of the church, and he took the habit from the hands of

his cousin Carlos, whom the public voice, even to the present

day, has uniformly acknowledged as a saint.[31] He entered a

short time after into the college at Pavia, founded by that holy

man, and which still bears the name of the family. There, whilst

applying himself with assiduity to the occupations prescribed by

its rules, he voluntarily imposed on himself, in addition, the

task of instructing the poor and ignorant in the principles of

the Christian religion, and of visiting, consoling, and aiding

the sick. He made use of the authority which was conceded to him

by all, to induce his companions to second him in these deeds of

benevolence; he steadily refused all worldly advantages, and led

a life of self-denial and devotion to the cause of religion and

virtue.