The Spanish Missions, just outside San Antonio, Texas, are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state.
The missions near San Antonio, Texas are tranquil now, at least on a weekday in early April. Yet, it's not difficult to imagine a time when they were lively. In a quiet moment when our guide paused, I could visualize the Franciscan friar in his plain robe and sandals, ringing the bell for morning prayers. All around, young and old gathered to start another typical day. The guide continued and my brief daydream was lost to historical facts and figures.
Discipline was an intregal part of life in the missions. But most activity centered around keeping body and soul together. Everyone had their tasks, including tending the livestock, weaving cloth, and preparing food. In the evening, there were additional prayers. Church feast days provided a break in the regular routine. Thus life flourished in this little part of the world.
Popular now with visitors to the Lone Star State, the missions are worth exploring. You can spend a day "following the mission trail," to gain insight into unique Texas history.
The Catholic priests who made their homes at the mission have been called "pioneers and trailblazers." They were serious men who took vows of chastity, obedience and poverty, no doubt believing they were doing the work of God. The primary goal was to Christianize the native people. In hindsight, conversion of the indigenous people may not seem such a charitable act. But, nonetheless, it's part of our collective American heritage.
Although it's better known for later events, the Alamo was originally just the first of five missions established by the Franciscans along the San Antonio River. The four other missions now fall under the jurisdiction of the National Parks Department and are still active parishes, run in cooperation with the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
These small settlements are a very visible reminder of Spain's attempts to extend its New World dominion from Mexico. Representing a combination of church and state, the missionairies were charged with converting the locals, called Coahuiltecans, into devout catholics and productive members of the Spanish society. Beyond that role, they were also diplomats, cartographers and scientific observers.
The missions prospered during the years between 1747 and 1775, despite repeated raids by the Apache and Comanche Indians. Their presence helped establish the foundation for the modern day city of San Antonio.
When you follow the mission trail, it's a good idea to stop first at the Mission San Jose, where you'll find the Visitor Center. Here, you can see their informative film which puts the era and the activities of the missions into context. Fortunately, the National Park Service has devised a well-marked driving tour which directs motorists to the other four missions. Don't leave the Visitor's Center without a copy.
Due to it's size and architecture, San Jose has been called "the Queen of the Missions." Established in 1720, it's the best-known and most complete in appearance of the chain. The facade and other carvings on the church are among its most outstanding features. Somewhat worn by the wind and rain, Rosa's Window is still considered to be one of finest pieces of Spanish Colonial ornamentation in the country.
Mission San Jose hosts numerous weddings throughout the year. When we arrived, a photography session was in full swing, with a young bride posing in full regalia for the photographer.
The closest mission to downtown San Antonio is Mission Concepcion. The church, completed in 1755, looks basically the same as it did in the mid-1700s when it served as the mission's center of religious activity. Originally, colorful geometric patterns covered its surface, meant to attract the Native Americans to the mission, but they've faded with time. Remnants of wall and ceiling paintings in some of the mission's rooms have been conserved.
This mission served for years as the residence of the Father President, a missionary elected from among his Franciscan brothers to serve as the local field coordinator. Early on, this site played host to numerous religious festivals. In part, to replace Native American rituals with Christian ones.
Further South is Mission San Juan. Her attractive triad of bells has become the symbol of the Spanish mission. On the grounds are ruins of the larger church which was never completed. With it's fertile pasturelands, this mission was the supplier of agricultural produce. Orchards and gardens provided melons, grapes, peaches, beans, corn and much more. Records indicate San Juan had 3500 sheep and almost as many cattle, no small number for those early days.
Mission Espada is the southern most of the San Antonio missions and remains today a remote, serene place. It's noteworthy because it has the best preserved acequias, or irrigation system. The success of any mission was highly dependent on the planting and harvesting of crops. Light rainfall and the need for irrigation water made the installation of an acequia system a top priority. The missionaries and Indians built seven gravity-flow ditches, five dams and an aquaduct. This 15-mile network provided water for over 3000 acres of land.
Mother Nature has been especially kind to San Antonio, blessing her with over 300 days of sunshine per year. With an average temperature of 70 degrees, outdoor pursuits such as following
the mission trail are popular year round.
There's no admission charge at any of the missions, but donations are accepted.
