BajaNomad

Jesuit California

sargentodiaz - 4-15-2014 at 09:56 AM

[Haven't been here for awhile as I've been real busy working on my novels.]

As you all live in Baja, I think you will enjoy my two latest blog posts. The first is Jesuit California which comes from Antigua California that David K set me on to. An amazing book about the early history of Baja which I never saw any references to online.

The second is The Jesuit Domain of California.

As this all took place in the south, some of these places and things will be new to you. But, I think you will enjoy both posts and be amazed at the wisdom and foresight of those guys.

And, of course, comments are welcome. :D

David K - 4-15-2014 at 10:27 AM

I think most of us would like to live in Baja, but it is still a vacation destination for most Nomads. Thanks for your post Dale.

After reading your blog update, I think I can help with the reason Loreto was chosen and not La Paz.

In 1683, the Jesuits (Padre Kino) tried to start a mission at La Paz. Called Guadalupe, it failed and the soldiers (under Admiral Atondo) could not be controlled (they fired a canon on the Indians as payback).

After a short return to the mainland for supplies, they recrossed the gulf and landed at San Bruno (about 15 miles north of Loreto) and built a fort and colony attempt there... some authors call it a mission, too. It failed and they left in 1685.

With new authority over the soldiers (to prevent another disaster like La Paz), they returned to San Bruno but were encouraged to examine the village of Conchó just south. That is where Salvatierra founded his mission of Loreto. Kino was never able to return to the peninsula he tried so hard to open.

A mission at La Paz was founded in 1720 and was moved to Todos Santos in 1748. The Pericú revolt of 1734 sacked the La Paz mission and it never did well after that. Nothing but a plaque on a La Paz side street marks the (possible) mission site... no ruins exist.

[Edited on 4-15-2014 by David K]

Speaking of Jesuits

MrBillM - 4-15-2014 at 11:29 AM

John Adams said of them in a letter to Thomas Jefferson:

".........I do not like the reappearance of the Jesuits.... Shall we not have regular swarms of them here, in as many disguises as only a king of the gipsies can assume, dressed as printers, publishers, writers and schoolmasters? If ever there was a body of men who merited damnation on earth and in Hell, it is this society of Loyola's......"

[Edited on 4-15-2014 by MrBillM]

David K - 4-15-2014 at 02:32 PM

The Jesuits were everywhere for many years... and it was distrust and other issues that forced them out. But, look today, the new pope is a Jesuit!

sargentodiaz - 6-15-2014 at 11:35 AM

Part IV of Jesuit California

Poor Father Mayorga gets his first real taste of the difficult terrain of California as he goes with a mule train taking supplies to Mission San Javier.

David K - 6-16-2014 at 11:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sargentodiaz
Part IV of Jesuit California

Poor Father Mayorga gets his first real taste of the difficult terrain of California as he goes with a mule train taking supplies to Mission San Javier.


Nice job on the new pages... Thank you for writing about our California history!

sargentodiaz - 6-19-2014 at 04:24 PM

The poor Padre has no idea what lies ahead of him!

Bajahowodd - 6-19-2014 at 04:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
John Adams said of them in a letter to Thomas Jefferson:

".........I do not like the reappearance of the Jesuits.... Shall we not have regular swarms of them here, in as many disguises as only a king of the gipsies can assume, dressed as printers, publishers, writers and schoolmasters? If ever there was a body of men who merited damnation on earth and in Hell, it is this society of Loyola's......"

[Edited on 4-15-2014 by MrBillM]


As someone who spent a few years at a Jesuit run university, I could not agree with John Adams more.

David K - 6-20-2014 at 07:04 AM

Interesting... yet the Jesuits (and we are talking those from 300 years ago from 1697-1768) treating the native Californians far better than the Franciscans (1768-1773) and specially the Dominicans who were in peninsular California from 1773-1855.

Bajahowodd - 6-21-2014 at 04:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Interesting... yet the Jesuits (and we are talking those from 300 years ago from 1697-1768) treating the native Californians far better than the Franciscans (1768-1773) and specially the Dominicans who were in peninsular California from 1773-1855.


It's about how you want your poison.

sargentodiaz - 9-12-2014 at 10:31 AM

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=HN.608033954823604493&...

I've just posted Part VII of The California Jesuits – How Did They Do It?

Father Mayorga finds himself in the midst of the rugged central Baja California mountains with only his soldier/companion and a bunch of naked savages. Read it at http://msgdaleday.blogspot.com. Ratings and comments encouraged.

Fixed

David K - 9-12-2014 at 10:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by sargentodiaz



I've just posted Part VII of The California Jesuits – How Did They Do It?

Father Mayorga finds himself in the midst of the rugged central Baja California mountains with only his soldier/companion and a bunch of naked savages. Read it at http://msgdaleday.blogspot.com Ratings and comments encouraged.

sargentodiaz - 9-13-2014 at 01:41 PM

Thanks. Awesomely savage country. I don't know how he did it.

David K - 9-13-2014 at 02:05 PM

Here is what I reported on Mayorga's mission (San José de Comondú): http://www.discoverbaja.com/2013/12/03/the-spanish-missions-...

sargentodiaz - 9-14-2014 at 05:58 PM

Nicely done.