Magellan and San Vitores: Heroes or Madmen? By Donald Shuster, PhD Professor, University of Guam drshust@uguam.uog.edu
Abstract: Separated by 150 years, European explorer Ferdinand Magellan and Jesuit missionary Father Diego Luis de San Vitores have some rather unexpected similarities. They were both of noble birth, both were visionaries, both died violently in service to a greater power. In addition, both died on islands far from their places of birth. This paper examines two important European men and how they formed Marianas early contact history. Introduction Ferdinand Magellan and Father Diego Luis de San Vitores, S.J. loom large in Guam and World history. Both men were briefly on Guam, the Captain-General for a few days and the Jesuit priest for nearly four years. Separated by 150 years, these giants of their times have some rather unexpected similarities. They were both of noble birth. Magellan, born in Portugal in 1480, spent much of his youth at court and after 1495 in the train of King Don Manoel (Beaglehole 1966:16). At this time Portuguese captains came home to tell fabulous stories of their explorations, ranging from Brazil to India to the spice islands, and Magellan was caught up in this tremendous excitement. San Vitores was born to an aristocratic Castilian family in 1627 and “through his parents and relatives had access to the highest court and church circles in the reigns of Philip IV and his widow, Queen Regent Mariana.” (Rogers, 1995, 42) Furthermore, both men were visionaries, obsessed, driven, convinced to the bone that they were in touch with God and that God was guiding their respective missions.
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