Our Catholic Heritage in Texas
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aid; for that of the Villa of Saltillo is more than sixty-eight leagues away, and the Kingdom of Leon the same, these being the nearest. Likewise, ministers of the gospel are necessary, since these nations ask for them; and they do not wish to have those of one nation attend the others, because they are of different languages, the people numerous, and their homes far apart. There are necessary for the present at least four religious for each group, if His Majesty, God preserve him, is pleased to have it [the land] settled and given seed grain, oxen, and some families of Tlaxacalteco Indians. "This report I make to said alcalde mayor on the basis of what I have seen and observed, and of my experience of more than twenty years with barbarian natives and others. And in order that it may be on record I set it down as an auto, which I signed with the witnesses assisting me, who were Diego Luis Sanchez and Ambrosio de Verlanga." From this time on missionary activity, though it lagged, never died out, until it finally culminated in the permanent establishment of missions first in East Texas and later in and around the Presidio of San Antonio de Bejar. The expedition led by Alonso de Leon in 1689, so generally believed to have been the beginning of actual missionary work in Texas, was rather a culmination of the efforts of Fathers Juan Salas, Diego de Ortega, Juan Larios, Dionisio de San Buenaventura and of many others, each of whom unostentatiously labored for the praise and glory of God in the remote and unexplored regions of Texas at various times.
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