This memorial, which is still preserved at Rome, contains, that he approves, as much as depends on him, the rules and constitutions, which shall be drawn up, by Ignatius and his companions; that he elects Ignatius to be their general, and, in failure of him, Le Fevre; that he consecrates himself to God, by the three vows, of poverty, chastity, and obedience, in the Society of Jesus, when it shall be raised into a religious order, by the apostolical authority.

The conclusion of that affair was daily expected; and indeed it was happily finished, before the ending of the year, in that almost miraculous manner, as is related in the Life of St Ignatius.

His journey from Rome to Lisbon was all the way by land, and was above three months.  Xavier had a horse allowed him, by order from the ambassador; but they were no sooner on their way, than he made him common.  The Father often alighted to ease the servants who followed on foot; or exchanged his horse with others, who were not so well mounted.  At the inns he was every man’s servant, even to the rubbing of the horses, by an excess of humility, which, on those occasions, caused him to forget the dignity of his character.  He resigned his chamber and his bed to those who wanted them; and never lodged but either on the ground, or on the litter in the stable.  In the rest of his actions, ever cheerful, and pleasant in discourse, which made all men desirous of his company; but always mixing somewhat with that gaiety, which was edifying both to the masters and the servants, and inspired them alike with thoughts of piety.

They went by Loretto, where they rested at the least eight days; after which they continued their journey by Bolognia.  From thence, Xavier wrote to Ignatius, in this manner: 

“I received, on the holiday of Easter, the letter which you wrote and inclosed in the packet of my lord ambassador.  God only knows my joy in receiving it.  Believing, as I do, that we shall never entertain each other in this world, by any other way than that of writing, and that we shall never see each other but in heaven, it concerns us, that little time we have to live in this place of exile, to give ourselves the mutual consolation of frequent letters.  The correspondence, on my part, shall be exactly kept; for being convinced, by the reasons which you gave me at our parting, that a commerce of this nature ought to be established, in a regular method, betwixt the colonies and the mother country, I have resolved, that in whatever parts of the world I shall reside, or any members of our Society with me, to maintain a strict communication with you, and with the fathers at Rome, and send you as large an account, as possibly I can, of any news concerning us.  I have taken my opportunity of seeing the Cardinal of Invrea, as you gave me in command, and have discoursed at leisure with him.  He received me with much goodness, and offered me, with great civility, his interest, for our common cause.  In the midst of the discourse, which we had together, I threw myself at his feet, and kissed his hand, in the name of all our Society.  As much as I can gather by his words, he extremely approves the manner of our living.