Luis de Morales, S.J.

Luis de Morales, S.J. (1641-1716) entered the Society of Jesus on August 28, 1658. After studying theology in Salamanca and taking his scholastic vows, he joined a group of missionaries to go to the Philippines, departing on March 23, 1662. He arrived in Guam on June 16, 1668, and soon after he witnessed the first martyrdoms of Jesuits and their assistants. In July 1671, he left the Marianas aboard the galleon Nuestra Señora del Socorro to finish his studies in the Philippines. His superiors had asked him to learn Tagalog, and when he completed his formation, he was sent to the missions of Yndang and Maragondong, depending on the mission of Silang, near Manila. On February 2, 1676, Morales professed the four vows. That same year, he was appointed rector of the Antipolo residence, which was some five leagues east of the capital city. He remained in this post until June 14, 1678. In 1682, Morales was appointed as provincial procurator of the Philippines (1682-87). On August 14, 1685, he reached Seville, burdened with letters, recommendations, and memorials that he had to deliver to various people, including the benefactors of the Marianas mission in the Spanish court, Duchess of Aveiro and the Queen Regent. Before returning to the New Spain, Morales went to Rome to participate in the thirteenth General Congregation of the Society of Jesus (June 21, 1687 – September 7, 1687) in which Father Thyrsus González de Santalla was elected Superior General of the Society (1687-1705). Established in the Viceroyalty of New Spain (1690-1697), Morales continued to adamantly defend the conservation of the Jesuits’ Philippine missions, including the Marianas. From 1699 to 1703, he served as provincial of the Philippines, being appointed as rector of the College of Manila. He died in Manila on June 14, 1716, at the age of 75.