Rizal's Unfading Glory: a Documentary History of the Conversion of Dr. Jose Rizal . Manila: Rizal Centennial Edition, 1961. Print.
I.
Rizal’s retraction a.
Testimony of the newspapers i. Newspapers around the world published articles about his retraction and several even published a copy of the actual retraction. Apart from minor de fects in translation and occasionally differing details between some articles, they are all substantially unanimous in essence. (1) ii. These small differences serve to show that these newspapers did not get the information from one source alone, and that they were not dependent on one another for the information. (ibid)
b. Testimony of eyewitnesses i. Reverend Vicente Balaguer Llacer, S.J. (8-12) 1.
“The priest who became God’s instrument in the conversion and retraction of Rizal” (8)
2.
Returned to Rizal a small figurine of t he Sacred Heart of Jesus which Rizal had carved himself as a student in the Ateneo and seems to be one of the factors in his making the decision to write a retraction.
3.
Upon telling Rizal that if he did not repe nt he would damn himself, Rizal was moved to tears and said that he would not damn himself.
4.
Aided Rizal in the writing of his retr action by providing a simple formula for the details which his retraction must contain
5.
Witnessed Rizal actually writing his retraction and left with Josephine Bracken and one of Rizal’s sisters to give the retraction to a priest of the Ateneo, Father Pio Pi. This was given to the Archbishop Nozaleda, whose secretary kept it in the chest of reserved documents.
ii. Captain Rafael Dominguez y Garcia (12-14) 1.
“Colonel of the Manila Garrison and Judge Advocate in Rizal’s trial, on duty to watch over the convict all the time he was in the chapel” (12)
2.
He asks permission from the priests who visited him to be married and promises to write his confession.
3.
At about midnight, he recites his confession to Fr. Vilaclara. He knelt down in front of the altar and read aloud the declaration which he had written himself.
iii. Lt. Mariano Martinez Gallegos (14) 1. Witnessed Rizal’s Rizal’s conversion to the Catholic faith and the clear testimony which he gave iv. Reverend Luis Viza y Marti, S.J.
1.
“The priest who brought to Rizal the statuette of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which became a providential instrument of God’s grace in the conversion of Rizal”
2.
Rizal desired to receive the sacrament of confession and of marriage
v. Very Reverend Pio Pi y Vidal, S.J. (16-18) 1.
Composed the formula of Rizal’s retraction
2.
Witnessed Rizal read aloud the written re traction of his own accord
3.
Was given a holograph of the retraction. After making a copy of it for their archives, he delivered it to the archbishop.
vi. Lt. Juan del Fresno del Amo (18) vii. Lt. Eloy Moude y Gomez 1.
“Official witness*es+ of the handwritten retraction and profession of faith of Dr. Jose Rizal”
2.
Signed the official handwritten document
viii. Most Reverend Bernardino Nozaledo y Villa (19-20) 1.
“Archbishop of Manila, who sent the Jesuit fathers to assist Dr. Jose Rizal in his last hours”
2.
Saw the holograph being stored in the archives and testified that the newspapers and periodicals of Manila published a copy of the text as well as various other details of his execution.
c.
Other qualified witnesses i. Dona Trinidad Rizal (26-30) 1.
Rizal’s sister
2.
Was convinced that Rizal never abjured the ideals of Masonry because there is no document proving that he had done so, as did his other sisters.
3.
However it is important to remember that she was also connected to Masonry.
4.
Around two years before she died, she said that “she does not remember having made a declaration in 1913 manifesting that her brother had not abjured Masonry and that she, as w ell as her mother and sisters, were convinced that the abjuration was fictitious”.
5.
Had a radio interview with Mr. Felix Carag a.
Said that she had never understood her bro ther though she had played the most with him as a child; even then he was already reserved and enigmatic
b. Is convinced that he had abjured because he would not have been able to marry – apparently he had given his wife a prayer book as a wedding gift and gave another to their elder sister c.
Is also convinced that the Jesuits would not have permitted him to die outside the Catholic religion.
d. The best evidence: Rizal’s holograph
i. How it was lost (51-52) 1.
When the holograph was first stored away, no o ne dreamed of how important it would be. The controversy began when certain groups of people began clamouring to see the document, only to discover that the document could not be found in the archive because of the sheer number of other documents there.
2.
It became pointless to say that it didn’t matter what had happened to the document. Unless it could be found, the people remained unconvinced.
ii. How it was found (52-53) 1.
Manuel Gracia, the archdiocesan archivist in 1935, discovered the documents but had the prudence to keep it to himself until he could reveal it to the right authorities. A few months later, the Philippine Herald published the findings with the headline “RIZAL’S RETRACTION FOUND”.
English translation of the text of Rizal’s holograph (61) I declare myself a Catholic, and in this religion, in which I was born and educated, I wish to live and die. I retract with all my heart whatever in my words, writings, publications and conduct has been contrary to my status as a son o f the Catholic Church. I believe and profess whatever she te aches, and I submit to whatever she commands. I abominate Masonry as the enemy it is of the Church, and as a society forbidden by the Church. The Diocesan Prelate may, as the Superior Ecclesiastical Authority, make public this spontaneous manifestation of mine, in order to repair t he scandal that my acts may have caused, and so that God and men may pardon me. th
Manila, the 29 of December, 1896. JOSE RIZAL The Chief of the Picket Juan del Fresno
The Adjutant of the Plaza Eloy Moure
