. Some
asserted that he had been burned in effigy both in Spain and in Paris.
The matter went so far that he was brought to trial, but obtained a
favorable sentence. At the beginning of the year 1538 the nine
companions came to Venice and were scattered about the city in various
hospitals to minister to the sick. After two or three months all
journeyed to Rome to receive the Pope's blessing before going to
Jerusalem. Ignatius, however, did not go to Rome on account of Doctor
Ortiz and the Theatine Cardinal recently raised to that dignity. The
companions on their return brought the value of two or three hundred
gold crowns which had been given to them as alms for their projected
journey to Jerusalem. They would accept it only in the form of bills,
and when they were unable to make the voyage to Jerusalem they
returned it to those who had made the gift. They returned to Venice
in the same manner that they had set out for Rome. They traveled on
foot and begging, divided into three parties, as they were of
different nationalities. Those who were not priests were ordained at
Venice, having received faculties from the Nuncio, who was then in
that city and who was afterward called Cardinal Verallus. They were
promoted to the priesthood _sub titulo paupertatis_, having made vows
of poverty and chastity. That year no ships left for the East, on
account of the breach of the treaty between the Venetians and Turks.
When, therefore, they saw their hopes deferred, they dispersed into
various parts of the Venetian territory, with the understanding that
they should wait one year, as they had previously resolved; when that
time had elapsed, they were to return to Rome if it was not possible
to make the voyage. Vicenza fell to the lot of Ignatius. His
companions were Faber and Laynez. Outside of the city they found a
house that had neither door nor windows. Here they lived, sleeping on
a little straw which they had brought with them. Two of the three
entered the city twice daily, in the morning and evening, to ask for
alms. They returned with so little that it hardly sufficed for their
nourishment. Their usual food was bread, when they could get it. The
one who chanced to remain at home did the baking. In this way they
spent forty days, intent upon nothing but prayer.

After the forty days were over, Master John Codurus arrived, and the
four determined to begin preaching. On the same day and at the same
hour, in different squares, all b