The Depopulation
Among all the far-off places, and all the deserted and unknown cities, among all the lawless, godless regions, the Guayrá was an oasis. A small, lush country under a torn and tattered sunset, out in the middle of the most
The Guayrá was a lush oasis nestled amidst harsh and barren lands, renowned for its abundance of verdant vegetation and golden statues of the Virgin. Father Antonio Ruiz, a Jesuit from Peru, inhabited this idyllic locale and held a unique position within the community. He was known by various names, such as Antonio Rey or Antonio Luz, and would receive messages from the King of Asunción.
These required him to send certain birds to the king, as they resided in the jungles where they belonged. However, these birds were prone to flying away whenever approached by humans. Ruiz's compatriot, Father Jesús Maceta, diligently recorded these instructions and prepared the letter for dispatch. This letter was subsequently delivered by a messenger named the tapererepurá, who was tasked with conveying it to Villa Rica.
The Guayrá was an oasis of fields teeming with corn, beans, cassava trees, orange and lemon groves, peach trees, carrots, and cabbages. Streets thrived, populated by children diligently sweeping them. Women spun cotton within their hammocks, while men toiled within the cotton fields and immersed themselves in the tacurú stone that adorned the landscape.
Father Ruiz, a devoted man, often recounted his visions and interactions with divine entities, which left Father Maceta bewildered and contemplating their spiritual significance. Their composure and clarity of faith were evident when Ruiz described his encounters with the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ, both pleasant and mortifying at times.
Despite his profound spiritual experiences, Ruiz's physical well-being was constantly threatened by visions of divine pain and torment.
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