San Antonio Missions Nat’l Historical Park

San Antonio Missions Nat’l Historical Park
The Franciscans built 21 missions in Texas. In the San Antonio area the Nat’l Park service has taken over 4 of the missions. They are: Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. These Missions date back to 1690.
The Missions’ goals of self-sufficiency depended on their success of its farms and ranches.
Free roaming livestock on its ranches proved very profitable. Franciscan friars aspired to teach community harmony through the Catholic religion to the Indians. The Missions, for a time, were very successful. They would have over 200 Indians living at a Mission where they would be educated on how to farm and ranch. The Spanish military would also teach them how to protect themselves from hostile Indians. The 4 Missions are active parishes, part of the Diocese of San Antonio.
After 70 years there was less need for the Missions because of the effects of European diseases, acculturation, and intermarriages. By 1824 the San Antonio Missions were secularized, the lands were redistributed among the inhabitants and the churches were transferred to the secular clergy.
On Easter Sunday we went to a Mariachi Mass at Mission San Jose. This was a treat. The Spanish Mariachi band had over 12 guitar players and 2 horn players. A choir accompanied them as well. Mass was in English but all of the music was in Spanish. They played for the Mass as well as for the baptisms that took place. They even sang and played for those celebrating a birthday or an anniversary. After the mass they played for a while in the courtyard. It was most enjoyable.