Our Catholic Heritage, Volume IV

011, Catl,olic Heritage in Texas

impoverished and indolent soldiers and settlers, there would have been no outcry against them. By 1762, this m1ss10n had become a prosperous Indian community under the watchful care and paternal guidance of the devoted missionaries of the College of La Santa Cruz of Queretaro. Located about two gunshots distance from the San Antonio River, on its eastern bank, stood the monastery or friary, which was the heart of the mission. This was a building fifty varas square, with its upper and lower cloisters flanked with ample archways. There were cells for the missionaries, a refectory, a kitchen, and offices. All these rooms were decorously furnished with all the things necessary for the admin- istration of the mission and to supply the needs of the neophytes. The cells of the Padres, the offices, and all the other rooms were decorated with good taste and breathed a spirit that reflected the fervent faith of the founders. Back of the monastery was a large hall, where there were four looms. Here cotton and woolen cloth and blankets of various kinds were woven to supply all the needs of the mission. Adjoining the looms were two rooms in which the wool, the cotton, the combs, cards, spools, and other spinning accessories used by the Indians in the daily tasks were kept. Both the wool and cotton used were raised by the mission. The church, begun in 1738, had been completed before this date (1762) with its tower and sacristy, but the structure was poorly built and caved in soon after its completion. With characteristic industry and determination a new church was now being built out of stone and mortar, much more solidly and much better designed. A word should be said here about the childish tradition, sentimentally repeated by credulous folklorists and uncritical historians, that the mortar used was mixed with the milk of asses or goats. No reference to any such practice has been found in the available records. In the meantime a hall, thirty-five varas long, built to serve as a granary, was being used for religious services. An altar with its platform had been erected at one end of the long room. Over it, in a niche, a carved image of Saint Anthony, one vara high, had been placed. There were also an image of Christ crucified, one and a third varas long, a carved image of Our Lady of Sorrows, and a similar one of Saint John. The last two were artistically clothed. Above a second altar was an image of Our Lady of Sorrows, one vara high, with its a11das, and two lovely dresses. This image was taken out every week by the Indians in a procession which they held in connection with their tl/ission San Ant<mio de Valero.

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