Chimes of Mission Bells Part 5

"During my sickness in Queretaro, I was nursed with remarkable charity and diligence, by Padre Procurador Fr. Alexandro Llaneras, and soon after I arrived here, in this College of San Fernando, we heard of his death. He died of a serious fever. Death found him well prepared with all the Sacraments, a.s.sisted by Holy Communion, equipped with patience and entire conformity to the will of G.o.d, thus preaching to all with his example. I beg your reverence to pray for him.

"It is only once a year that we can receive letters from and send them to, this College. And if we can only once a year receive and write a letter, is it surprising that we are so slow to write to those living in another world? However, if with the help of G.o.d, I safely arrive in California, I may drop you a letter telling at least of my arrival, should there be nothing of more importance to communicate to your reverence. Meanwhile, I send my best regards to your mother, my dearest sister, to my niece, and to all our brethren. Remember me to my beloved Dr. Onofre Verd, and to the other pupils of mine, friends and neighbors and acquaintances, specially to Fr. Rector de Selva, Dr. Jayme Font, and finally to all, not without the request that they pray to G.o.d, that His Divine Majesty deign, through His infinite mercy, to make me fit and worthy minister of His Divine Word, and grant me a holy and happy death.

"From this Apostolic College de Propaganda Fide of San Fernando, Mexico, August 4, 1773.

"May G.o.d keep your reverence for many years;

"Most affectionate uncle, brother and servant.

"Fr. Junipero Serra."

The Meaning of California Missions

By Right Rev. Bishop Conaty, of Los Angeles

In the mission celebrations which occur in California from time to time, there are two views which men take--the this-world-view and the other-world-view. In either view the missions stand out gloriously. In the first, the builders, who were the padres, are beheld as practical men possessing fine artistic sense and creative genius. From the memories of old Spain and the elemental materials at hand, the forests, the soil and sunlight, they made the original picture-building which artists since have loved to paint, and poets loved to praise. From this same viewpoint the mission builders are seen as philanthropists who selected human materials as gross as the mud from which they made the adobe brick, and from these built up a civilization that was more wonderful than all the mission-edifices which remain as monuments to their altruistic efforts.

But there is another view of the missions which must appeal especially to Catholics. Indeed it is natural to the farther-seeing Catholic eye.

It is the other-world-view. It is the vision of souls. It is seen to have been the motive of every action of the master-builder padres. It is the reason for their exile here, the purpose of their sufferings, the object of their labor, the burden of their prayer, the spirit of their vocation, the poetry, art, architecture and music of their souls. The one aim in life was the salvation of souls.

--The Monitor.

Dances of Early California Times.

The Spanish dances of early California times were the Contradanza, Quadrillas Espanolas, Varsoviana, Jota Aragonesa, Bamba, Jarabe, Son, Zamacueca, and Fandango.

With the exception of the first three, which are round dances, the dances are danced by two persons; the steps are very fancy, and for some castanets are used. It was customary after each change of step for the gentleman to recite a pretty little stanza complimentary to the lady, who in turn responded her refined appreciation also in verse, sometimes merely witty or comical rhymes were used. The music is very pleasing and lively.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 1: Official t.i.tle of the Kings of Spain.]

[Footnote 2: Blue and white are the symbolical colors of the Blessed Virgin Mary.]

[Footnote 3: The Very Reverend Angelo Casanova selected the writer of this sketch and her brother, then little children to unveil this monument.]

[Footnote 4: Alberto de Cordoba, an excellent engineer, surveyed the Harbor of San Francisco in 1813, at the request of Governor Borica.]

[Footnote 5: A Catholic devotion in honor of Our Saviour's Pa.s.sion.]

[Footnote 6: This beautiful hymn is found in many ancient Spanish books of devotion.]

[Footnote 7: This letter was written by Junipero Serra soon after his arrival at the College of San Fernando, Mexico, on a business trip he made there four years after his coming to California. The letter was written to his nephew, also a priest, in Petra, Spain.]