Chimes of Mission Bells

Chapter Ix Rev. Raymond M. Mestres Writes Historical Drama "fray

Junipero"

Appendix A Letter of Junipero Serra. The Meaning of California Missions. Dances of Early California Times

Preface

In presenting this modest volume to the public, I wish to call the attention of my readers to the following facts. Firstly, my humble work is a work of love--love simple and unalloyed for the venerable Spanish Missionaries of California and for the noble sons and daughters of Spain who gave such a glorious beginning and impetus to our state. Being a direct descendant of pioneer Spaniards of Monterey, I take a particular interest in California's early history and development and as my family were staunch friends of the Missionary Fathers and in a position to know the state of affairs of those times, and to family tradition I have added authentic knowledge from reading the earliest archives of San Carlos Mission, as well as other historical references, I feel I can fearlessly vouch for the truthfulness of my little work. Secondly--while fully appreciating the sympathy and interest of many charming and intellectual characters who grace California to-day, it must be admitted that there is a sadly ignorant or misinformed number who scarcely seem to know who Spaniards and their descendants are, judging from the promiscuous way the term "Spanish" is used, and what is the result of this among many? Prejudice, and absurd misunderstanding of the golden days of Spanish California as well as of the Spanish race and character. It is far from being my wish to offend, but I wish to present correct historical facts. Thirdly--there is no pretense to consider this brief sketch a complete or detailed history, but only a truthful outline of the heroic and chivalrous Mission days.

Maria Antonia Field.

Translation of the Names of the Missions.

1. San Diego.--A Spanish form of Saint James, who is the Patron Saint of Spain.

2. San Carlos.--Saint Charles. Mission San Carlos and the Royal Chapel of Monterey were so named in honor of Saint Charles the Patron Saint of King Carlos III under whose reign the mission was founded.

3. San Antonio De Padua.--St. Anthony of Padua.

4. San Gabriel.--St. Gabriel (the Angel of the Annunciation.).

5. San Luis Obispo.--Saint Louis, Bishop.

6. Nuestra Senora de Los Dolores.--Our Lady of Sorrows.

7. San Juan Capistrano.--St. John Capistrano.

8. Santa Clara.--Saint Clara.

9. San Buenaventura.--Saint Bonaventure.

10. Santa Barbara.--Saint Barbara (whose feast is commemorated on December 4, the date of the foundation of the Mission.)

11. Purisima Concepcion.--Most Pure Conception (of the Blessed Virgin Mary). This feast is celebrated on December 8, the day on which this mission was founded.

12. Nuestra Senora De La Soledad.--Our Lady of Solitude. (In the Catholic Church the Blessed Virgin Mary is venerated under this title to commemorate her solitude from the time of our Saviour's death until His Resurrection).

13. Santa Cruz.--Holy Cross (so named in honor of Our Saviour's Passion).

14. San Jose.--Saint Joseph.

15. San Juan Bautista.--Saint John, Baptist (whose feast occurs on June 24, the day this mission was founded).

16. San Miguel.--Saint Michael.

17. San Fernando, Rey De Espana.--Saint Ferdinand, King of Spain.

18. San Luis, Rey De Francia.--Saint Louis, King of France.

19. Santa Ynez.--Saint Agnes.

20. San Rafael.--Saint Raphael.

21. San Francisco Solano.--Saint Francis Solano.

CHIMES OF MISSION BELLS

Tribute to Junipero Serra and the Mission Padres.

By Maria Antonia Field.

Read at the Crowning of the Serra Statue, Monterey, Nov. 23, 1913.

The fickle world ofttimes applauds the rise Of men whose laurels are but vainly won, Whose deeds their names could not immortalize For their soul-toils were wrought for transient ends; But heroes of the Cross, they truly great Shall live, their halo shall no hand of fate

Have power to rob, albeit oblivious years May veil the radiance of their glorious works, Or slight their excellence, their light appears But brighter, statelier in its splendor calm, Or like the flowers that sleep through winter's snow To bloom more fair, their lives' pure beams shall glow

With greater brilliance and sweetly gleam As lodestars in the firmament of worth; Such is the memory whose holy stream Of noblest virtue, valor, truth and Faith, Illumes our path and stirs our souls today, Immortal Serra by whose tomb we pray!

What peerless aureole wreathes his saintly brow? What stately monument doth bear his name? Let this admiring thousands tell us now! Let youthful lips pronounce his name with love! Let California proudly sing his praise! Let scions of fair Spain their voices raise,

And tell of him to whom so much we owe, Tell of his interceding power with God, His strong and lofty soul his children know, His prayers where Carmel's River flows so clear; O this his aureole, this his monument, The lasting kind which ne'er will know descent.

Another lesson must the worldly learn, From him who sought nor praise nor fame; His birth, ten score agone, and still we turn To him in reverence, his name is sweet As vernal bloom, his life shows forth God's might, Through him this soil received Faith's warm sunlight!

This beauteous land was strange, unknown and wild, Spite all its treasures, lordly trees and flowers; For tribes with pagan rites its wastes defiled, Till came Spain's noble band of godly men, Explorers true and zealous priests who gave Their lives' best years, forgotten souls to save!

'Tis just we venerate each hallowed stone Which rears the wond'rous "Temples of the West"; The tears, the toils, the nightly vigils lone; The pilgrim-journeys of Saint Francis' sons, The rescued souls by lustral waters cleansed, The wealth of hospitality dispensed.

All this and more if but their walls could speak, Would tell this day; and we in whose veins flows The fervent blood of Spain, to us each streak Of light which doth reveal a picture true Of gentle friar and lovely vanished times Is tender as the Angelus' sweet chimes.

Well may each Mission have a holy spell, And Serra's name become a household word, What marvels can each yellowed archive tell Of him and of his martyr-spirit band. O faithful, dauntless hearts! What brilliant sons Of that great galaxy of Spain's brave sons!

We love their saintly lives to ponder o'er, While childhood's fireside tales come back to us, And memory unfolds her precious store, The bygone glories of the Mission towns, The grand old hymns sung at sweet Mary's shrines The Spanish color rich as luscious wines

Of Mission vineyards, and the festive hours So full of life yet innocent and good, When blessings seemed to fall as welcome showers, The Indian tribes were ruled with Christian love, And shared the sons and daughters of Castile Their loved Franciscan Fathers' patient zeal!

But still we love each altar and each cross Of these dear fanes; e'en as departing rays Of sun doth kiss the crags outlined with moss, We love to linger by their altars' light. But oh fair Carmel, she of Missions Queen What guarding spirits hover here unseen!

Sweet Carmel, center of the hero-band, What holy treasures hold thy sacred vaults? Junipero and others! Here we stand In awe of all thou hast been and art still! Cruel times took glory, splendor, power From Missions all, but not their priceless dower,

Religion, love and all we hold as dear, No hand can tarnish and no might destroy, And from each hallowed altar ruddy, clear, Still burns the mystic lamp, for God is there! The cross-crowned towers tell that all is not dead, E'en though more splendid times have long since sped.

And like a glowing ember in the night Our Lady's love has burned through every change; 'Tis thus the Missions ever saw the light Through labors, ripened harvest-joys and wrongs; Their noon-sun splendors of well won renown Will shine their glorious heritage to crown.

O Saintly Serra we implore thy prayer, Thy dauntless spirit sowed the "mustard-seed" Which grew as if by miracle of wonder rare, Upon this now rich land which thou did'st till, O let they mantle on thy clients fall Who on thy gracious aid do humbly call.

Chapter I.. Junipero Serra, Leader of the Heroic Band of Spanish

Junipero Serra, Leader of the Heroic Band of Spanish Missionaries of California. His Coming to San Fernando, Mexico, Thence to California.

Junipero Serra, whose name and labors may be termed a compendium of Christian virtues, was born on November 24, 1713, in Petra, a village of the picturesque Island of Majorca, on the northeastern coast of Spain, and a part of the Province of fair Catalonia, one of the most valuable and beautiful portions of Spain. This child, around whom our story clusters was baptized on the day following his birth, and received the names of Miguel Jose. His parents were poor people from a material standpoint, but gifted with a rich heritage of the noblest, and sublimest character; qualities which make the Spanish peasant so delightful.

From his tenderest youth, Miguel Jose evinced an ardent desire to enter the priesthood and displayed a zealous missionary spirit. His pious parents placed no obstacle in the way of their gentle boy's vocation, and being too poor to pay for his education, the Church did it for them. At the age of sixteen, Miguel Jose left his father's small estate and began his studies in his native village, completing them at the Franciscan College of Palma, the Capital of the Island of Majorca. He made rapid progress, and a brilliant future opened before him, while his virtuous qualities were noted by all with whom he came in contact. A proof of his worth may be seen from the facts that he was ordained before he attained his majority; also taught in different schools as professor of theology and received the degree of doctor soon after his ordination. The fame of his eloquent preaching and persuasive oratorical powers spread not only throughout Spain but reached other European countries. Still Junipero Serra (as he was known by his own choice after an humble disciple of Saint Francis of Assisi, noted for his charity) was not dazzled by his brilliant mental gifts, and his thirsting desire to evangelize the heathen savage of the New World grew apace with his fame. He declined the offer to become the Court preacher and other ecclesiastical dignities, which he would have been entirely justified in accepting, and practiced those virtues which clung to him with even more perfect maturity throughout his life; heroic virtues which enabled him to undertake wonderful things. In him too were noted those sweet simple qualities invariably found in great and holy men and women, such as gentleness, amiability, a tender affection for children and a love for the beautiful in nature; sun, moon, stars, flowers, birds, the woods and ocean, all found responsive chords within him. In a few brief lines we have endeavored to convey an idea of Serra's character, let us now follow his steps in company with the band of heroic workers who accompanied him in his voyage across the dark Atlantic, and his apostolic journeys through Mexico and California to "break the bread of life" to the unfortunate heathen. Among the notable band of missionaries was Father Francisco Palou, life-long friend and co-laborer of Father Junipero Serra.

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