The case of Francesco Paleola, S.J.

On 29 January 1648 – three and a half centuries ago – a 35-year-old Italian Jesuit priest was murdered by Suban-on in Punot, in what is now the province of Zamboanga del Norte. He was killed out of hatred for his missionary work, and may thus be considered the first to die for the Christian Faith in Mindanao.

Although that happened more than 350 years ago, that priest’s memory is still preserved in that region, and what is believed to be his grave has become a place of pilgrimage. Some things have happened at that grave which seem out of the ordinary.

His name was Francesco Paleola (although when he arrived in the Philippines his Spanish Jesuit colleagues hispanicized the name to Francisco Palliola). He was born in Nola, in the territory of Naples, on 10 May 1612 and studied for the priesthood, being ordained on 17 May 1636 at the age of 25. A year later, already a priest, he entered the Jesuit novitiate and volunteered for the missions. Assigned to the Philippines, he went to Spain and there joined a large group of 41 Jesuits bound for our islands via Mexico. They arrived in Manila in July 1643 and Father Paleola was at once assigned to the missions of western Mindanao with headquarters at Dapitan. There he was assigned to work among the Suban-on tribe. He spent most of his first year in Mindanao learning their language. He apparently became proficient in it and he gained many converts.

But he incurred the hatred of a man who had committed murder, and on 29 January 1646 this man and his companions murdered the priest.

A year before his death, on the feast of the Epiphany, 6 January 1647, Father Paleola had pronounced the final vows of the Jesuit Order. The ceremony took place in the church in Dapitan.

Where was he buried? In those days bodies were not embalmed and burial had to take place within 24 hours. One account says that his Suban-on converts carried the body the long distance to Dapitan where it was buried. Another version is that they burned the body on the spot where he was killed.

But there is a grave in Punot (the place where he had been murdered) which is pointed out as the grave, and this has become a place of pilgrimage. Even members of the Suban-on tribe are said to come to the grave and pray or light candles.

Strange things are said to be happening at that gravesite. It is said that at night there is a glow over the grave that serves as a beacon to travelers. Some cures have been reported.

One particular case is documented. The present parish priest of Dipolog, a monsignor, affirms that he had a growth in his mouth which was feared might be cancerous. He went to the grave and prayed to Father Paleola. He also said Mass over the grave. The following morning (he says) all trace of the growth in his mount was gone.

These happenings have been reported to the Jesuit Provincial who has appointed someone to investigate the matter. The result of that investigation is being anxiously awaited by many in Dipolog.