The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c28.63

v1.c28.63

In the month of July, 1606, Fr. Francesco Ricio passed away 2; he was the first missionary to die in the Vijayanagara mission. Fortunately his successor came out in the same year. This was another Italian, Fr. Antonio Rubino. Fr. Ricio himself had, when writing to Fr. General in 1603, asked for Fr. Rubino for this mission 3. He was a great mathematician and a profound theologian; moreover he was a very good preacher and a virtuous priest 4. He reached Chandragiri in the beginning of 1606; and from there he wrote to Fr. Genneral of the Society of Jesus in the following year as follows: "Last year I wrote to Your Paternity an account of this mission in the kingdom of Bisnaga, in which I am now by Your Paternity's command with great consolation on my part. I hope in our Lord that I shall end the rest of my life, which will not last very long, in this mission" 5.