The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-09-06
uoRNmo STAR AND CATHOLIC MESSENGER.
MISSIONS OF WESTERN TEXAS.

NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER o. ie"o'
MISSIONS OF WESTERN TEXAS.
SAN ANTONIO, August "a, 1868.
Editor Morning Star and Catholic Messenger:
DEAR S1R-From all could CLEAN of the
history of this mission, San Antonio" 1T
was established in the year OF O9r sl Lord
then in the zenith of power, wealth,
and fame, the ruler of dominion on this
continent extending from the great North
west of this Northern hemisphere to the
vicinity of the Straits of Magellan. aided by
the noble and chivalric soldiers of Old Cas-
tile. Yet much is due to the early Fathers
of the Order of st. Francis, who, by their
labors, erected the monuments of art,
science and architectural beauty, which
to this day present to the traveller q
memorial of the wonderful works of this
devoted band of religious, who left all
the ties that nature could bind-coun-
try, language, "and mothers, dear and
fond" to explore q wilderness inhabited by
a savage, cruel and barbarous race; and,
finally to save their souls and bodies by the
gentle rs lambs; yes, children of the Most
High, and heirs of a happy eternity.
IquestiOn very much if this apparent and
easy conquest was the work of the grand
army, many of whom were solely bent on
treasures, and hence, assert that His Majes-
"
pfaus, self-sacrifcing men, whose kingdom
was>nor of this world those meek and
humble followers of their Divine Master for
this rea\ pacific conquest and spread OF
Christianity and civilization; ana to them
we are this day indebted for those magnifi-
cent temples where the descendants of
these same aborigihes, with those of other
races, all kneel in humble alteration before
the same altar, in presence of the Most,
High. These thoughts often occur to my
mind, when perchance Witnessing the
strange devotions of this semi-tutored
my advent among them, a wide departure
from the prevalent customs on fOrmer Oc-
casions, and which, to be seen, might
shock the devout sensibilities of many l.
call to my mind. Shade of Father Mark
A-y, were you to return among us, am
certain you would, with the writer, loudly
exclaim-" Gracias q dos por Ell CambiO."
"No more villainous saltpetre," nor pistol
shots to scandalize superior civilization"
No more clarinets and cymbals, violins and
drums, as necessary appendages at funeral
PROFESSIONS.
The first and most important of these
missions is situated on the east bank of the
river of that name, and it's buildings, once
of great extent, have been etfectually
destroyed by the different sieges. This
brity, under the name of the "Alamo." In
this deseerated church the gallant, but ill
fated .tTravis, with his heroic band of
devoted followers, made it the Ihermopyln
of Texan martyrdom." The buildings to
the church appertaining, as we'll as all the
church itself, were for years bone of con-
tention, despite the acts of the Congress of
the Republic of Texas, session 1871, confirm
ing to the church all ats property. This act
may read we'll enough in its text, yet those
this law paid little respect to it, particu-
larly wheE religious prejudice was brought
to bear upon the courts and juries, which
in some cases disintegrated the property;
and such is the spOliatiOn, in too many in
stances, of church property. in this section
that we may yet live to publish the authors,
aiders and abettors5of this illegal sacrilege.
The mission and its environs afforded
protection and shelter for about two
thousand Indians, to whom the Reverend
Fathers were gradually imparting the
knowledge of Christianity and the practice
ofreligion; teaching them also industry, arts
and the spirit of reliance on their own eff
forts to produce the fruits of the earth,
aided in this dry climate by works for irri
CATION worthy of ancient Rome, and to
this day fully appreciated by the present
possessors of these heldsl
servants of the Most High branded as
bigots by some, and by others as sanguinary
and grasping. Shall posterity do justice to
those good and holy men7 Yes!
In memorial Gterna crit iustus." AT a
later period was completed the mission
of San Fernando, now the parish church
for the Mexican population. l first heard
its discordant chimes twenty-si years ago,
made so by the bullets of the contending
forces when driving their foes out from
the strong places, and subsequently when
under the charge of that great and good
priest, the last of the Lazarists in this
diocese, Rev. c. NJ. Calvo, Z. NJ, of happy
memory to all who had the pleasure of
his acquaintance. can now attest that
his memory still lives in their grateful
and pious Remembrance. His death took
place in New Orleans, after most intense
suffering of over twelve months, in Noyem-
Der or December, 1857 (Sec the New
Orleans Catholic STANDARD for his obituary.
This priest was native of Spain; re-
markable man. Talented, yet unobtrusivc,