Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1910-11-05
FESTIVAL IS A
Time REVIEWER
FAITHITL AGAIN uoLD MASS IN
RUINED MISSION
LINKS With The PAST
Alone Win spiritual Celebration Il
Served u Mexican Dlnner--
Missions History

san Antonio, Tey. Nov l.-Srcnes
OF nearly 90O years ago, with all the
picturesque. seJirs- of The early
spanish settlements IN southwest
Texas. were enacted SUNDAY at the
ruined mission on the banks of the
San Antonio River three miles from
san Antdulo Which was erected in
I7lG and named for It's patron saint,
san Jaun Caplstr1no, sunday was
the ioast-day OF This saint and early.
In the morning the old bell made I'M
Seville and SIN hanging Ia the
CInmbllng tower, breaking its long
silence, called the faithful 90 early
mass once q year on this day the
ancient rock aud adobe church i7
again llllcd with life. Many candles
lightthe gloom on rs dim and mouldy.
altar and from morn tin night the.
thick walls built by Indians under
the supervision Of the Franciscan
monks echo the prayers and hymns.
n Is q dramatic link with the
pist Solemn high mass Is sung by
the chancellor of tho diocese, tho re-
sponFcs being sung by a choir OF or
rhan children; priests IN both span
lsh and English eXtol the lie of the
saint The masses Of the mornn
arc followed IN the afternoon hy the
recitation of the rosary and the benC-
dictiou Of the blessed sacrament.
There Is u large procession, the ma
iority taking part being the descend
ants Of the Spanish settlers, though
there are many Americans In The bril-
liant line, IL Is witnessed by great
crowds OF spectators and Is an annua
event which brings visltors from Tar
of points, since the long line 90
priests and acolytcs clad In their
robes, adds color with the bright garz
the say resobns and feas,-day dresses
OF the mantllo-clad Spanish women.
Along with the spldltual celebra-
tion takes place one in which there
Is foasting end drinking. At mid
day after solemn high mass, "A typical
Mexican dinner Is served at which
the visiting clergy and the orphans
are special guests. Many peculiarly
dishes are on the bill OF fare
which has a variety seldom seen out
side OF Mexican Village. No, only
are there enchlllados, tortlllas, chilli
con carne, tamai4s, chilli con hucros,
the raisin and pork stuffed peppers.
the delicious and lncomrarable choco-
late but one Is served with sweet
meats n SOUP that Is SO rich with the
concentrated essence OF chicken that
the surface Is a mass of golden glo-
hules and young Kid that has never
been allowed 70 touch grass, and othcs
dishes.
The Mission san Juan capisiranol
Is surrounded by stone enclosure
which Is In fairly good state Of pre-
servation. II was settled by Paa-
mhagues Indians who built not only
the church under the direction oil
Francisclans but also many one-room
ed houses that served the Spanish COLL
onists. j was one Of the chain Of
missions built not only To spread the
gospel among the Indians hut 60 hold
Texas for Spain In order to hold
the land the Franciscians were in
structed 10 build a limo OF missions eX-
tending from the Rio Grande 10 the
Sabine. All the missions were built
on the same general plan. The roofs
OF the chapels We're Grchcd but no
timbers braeed the coverings as they
were being constructed. According
to the methods In use early In the
eighteenth century the building was
filled with earth, which served as
form or mold over which the roof
was built. The towers were con-
structed in the same manner. Re
sides affording a place Of worship,
the missions furnished protection to
the monks, the colonists and the In
dians who might seek refuge during
the frequent nprisings. The walls
were three 10 four feet thick making
o fortress that could hnvo withstood
a siege with the guns that were used
nj that period. In each OF the mis-
sions was a specially prepared room
where small cannon stood ready
and where rifles and muskets could
be used to advantage, Each had It's
dungeon where unruly indians were
imprisoned. Instead of having sep
arate cells, the prisoners were tied
with their hands above their heads to
n strong beam About tho only wood
used In the construction of the build
Ings was In the stairway leading into
the towers For this. huge trees We're
used, the steps being hewn In the logs
roads connected all the
OF the system. Aqueducts
furnished n supply Of water from the
San Antonio river although each Of
the missions WAS amply served from
wells.