Conversion of La Florida to Christianity
Converting the region's indigenous peoples to Christianity was a fundamental objective in the colonization of La Florida. The "spiritual conquest" began soon after St Augustine's foundation, led first by the Jesuits and, after 1573, by the Franciscan Order.
How did the Jesuits teach the Indians about Christianity?
One strategy was to leave young Spaniards among the Indians to learn their languages and later serve as interpreters. Likewise, young Indian children were also taught Spanish and some Latin. Missionaries also used theatrical performances, the first such performances in the USA.
Jesuits Juan Rogel, Alamo, Sedeño and Villarreal worked intensively to convert the Indians to Christianity.
lunacommons.org
The Seminario de La Habana was created to educate the children of Indian chiefs. JCB Archive of Early American Images
Rhode Island. Providence, R.I.
Missions
Establishing missions was one of the central reasons for Spanish colonization. The goal: teach the indigenous people to read and write, and convert them to Christianity. This miniature shows an archetypical model of one of the many Franciscan missions that existed in La Florida, such as San Luis, Santa Catalina and Nombre de Dios.
Miniature scale 1:82.
Catholic images
Religious images were spread among the villages in the hope of generating curiosity among the Indians. They used images and plays to teach the stories of Creation, Paradise, the Life of Christ, the Final Judgment, etc.
Drake manuscript, Histoire Naturelle des Indes, 1586.
The Morgan Library and Museum, New York, NY.
Catechism in Timucuan
The Franciscans
In the 16th several permanent missions (the oldest in the USA) were established. From these permanent missions, Franciscan friars travelled to nearby villages to preach, a practice they continued during the entire colonial period. The Franciscans produced some of the earliest indigenous language texts in the United States
Fruits of the conversion to Christianity
By 1655, the Franciscan missions were home to more than 26,000 Indians. The Franciscans also taught the Indians to read and write, and instructed them in other European trades and arts.
: Franciscan mission of San Luis in Tallahassee, Florida.
They would call the Indians together to pray next to a cross set up in the center of the settlement.
lunacommons.org
Franciscan work was especially focused on educating indigenous children.
lunacommons.org
Catechism
Catechism in Spanish and Timucuan 1612, a work by Francisco Pareja. Here is a section of the Christian doctrine that he passed on to the Timucua in their own language
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Francisco Pareja Catechism in Spanish and Timucuan 1612.
Explanation of the lighting of a candle during baptism ceremonies.
The Creed.
The Creed.
Adam and Eve.
The "Our Father".
"The Annunciation".
The seven Mortal Sins.
Quartz cross
Quartz cross found at Mission San Luis. Replica based on the original, which is held at Mission San Luis (Tallahassee).
How did the indigenous people influence the "spiritual conquest" of Florida?
One of three faces found when excavating the Franciscan mission at Santa Catalina de Guale (St Catherines Island). These faces were found inside the colonial church. What did they represent?.
Replica produced based on the original held at Fernbank Museum, Atlanta (Georgia).