Maria de Agreda

[benedicite]

This is from the Notre Dame Archives. They chronicle the fruit of the coming of Venerable Maria de Agreda for the conversion of the Jumanos to the Catholic Faith.

  Expedition of twelve soldiers, nineteen priests and twelve lay brothers, Franciscans, from the City of Mexico set out on Sep. 4, 1628. With them was Fr. Estevan de Perea. At the Rio del Norte where the territory of New Mexico begins they took possession on April 7, 1629. At one day's march from Robledo, Fr. Martinez Gonzales died. Arrived at Santa Fe. As it was Pentecost the priests held their chapter after which priests and brothers went to the towns and colonies assigned to them, and to the large town of Humanas and to other towns called Pyros and Tonpiros. His Majesty's alms were distributed among the missions and catechetical stations. In charge of conversions were Fr. Antonio de Artiaga, Fray Francisco, Councelor, Fray Diego de la Fuente, Fray Francisco de Azebedo, priests and Garcia de San Francisco and Diego de San Lucas lay brothers. The Indians eagerly asked Baptism. An escort of twenty soldiers under Don Francisco de Sylva accompanied Fr. Bartholomew Romero and Fr. Francisco Munoz on the first expedition to the Apaches of Quinia and Manases. These Indians showed a great desire for Baptism. On June 23 Fray Roque de Figueredo, Fray Francisco de Porras, Fray Andres Gutierrez, and Fray Augustin de Cuellar, priests and Fray Francisco de San Buenaventura and Fray Cristoval de la Concepcion, also Estevan de Perea and Fr. Thomas Manso, set out for Penal de Acoma and the provinces of Zuni and Moqui. Fr. Juan Ramirez remained at Acoma. Going east they arrived at Zuni. The inhabitants were very exact in superstitious practices. Their villages have streets and continuous houses. These people are clothed. Corn, beans, and pumpkins are produced. The Indians were taught the veneration due to priests. A house was purchased for the priests and this later became the first church of the province. The country was taken possession of in the name of the Roman See and the king of Spain. Fr. Roque de Figueredo was left in charge together with Fr. Augustin de Cuellar, priest and Fray Francisco de la Madre de Dios, a lay brother and three soldiers. The Indians were attentive to Fr. Roque and helped supply the mission with its wants. This narrative will be continued in another account.

https://archives.nd.edu/mano/