In Spanish, the word "padre" means father. The padres of the missions were symbolic fathers. They were priests of the Catholic faith whose duty in life was to spread what they beleived to be the word of God, the Catholic faith. The priests who took charge of the California missions truly believed that they were doing the best thing for the Native Americans. Religion meant everything these priests. Because of their religious background, the padres were much kinder and gentler leaders than the soldiers. Most of them truly wanted to help the natives, and many of them did. The padres believed that if the tribes continued to worship their many gods that they would go to hell. By teaching them to be Catholic, they were trying to save them. Believing that to be good Christians the natives had to learn the Spanish culture, the Padres taught them Spanish methods of agriculture*, the Spanish language, and how to sing Christian songs for the church services. Some of the Native Americans were content with their new way of life; others hated the missions and tried to revolt.
The padres mainly supervised the Native Americans; they taught them certain skills and then checked on them periodically* to see that they were working. The priests did all the teaching. They also decided the schedules and rang the bells that told everyone what was happening.
A day in the life of...
...a spanish padre
...a young woman
...a young man
...a child
...an older woman
...an older man
...a spanish soldier
