Rizal Secret Mission

Rizal conceived the secret mission, with the blessing of his brother Paciano was
to observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and
commerce and governments and laws of the European nations in order to prepare
himself for the task of liberating his people from Spanish Tyranny.

Secret Departure for Spain

Rizal departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanish
authorities and the friars. Even his own parents did not know because he knew they,
especially his mother would not allow him to go. Only his older brother (Paciano), his
uncle (Antonio Rivera, father of Leonora Rivera), his sisters (Neneng and Lucia), the
Valenzuela family (Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday and their daughter Orang),
Pedro A. Paterno, his compadre Mateo Evangelista, the Ateneo Jesuit fathers, and
some intimate friends, including Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio). The kind Jesuit priests gave
him letters of recommendation to the members of their Society in Barcelona. He used
the name Jose Mercado, a cousin form Biñan.
Before his secret departure, he wrote a farewell letter his beloved parents and
another one for his sweetheart Leonor Rivera — both delivered shortly after he sailed
away.
On May 3, 1882, Rizal departed on board the Spanish steamer Salvador bound
for Singapore.