MISSION ESPÍRITU SANTO


	MISSION ESPÍRITU SANTO Your bell tower lifts its head toward heaven. Your white-washed walls gleam in the morning sunlight. Your open door invites us in, and cool shadows inside entice us to explore. Your halls are empty now; our footsteps echo on the bricks. Two and more centuries ago you were full of people: solemn gray-clad priests expressionless natives uniformed Spanish soldiers sweating field workers skilled artisans and children at play. Sounds filled your spaces then: laughter and talking groaning and teaching chants of the faithful clanking of swords lowing of oxen clicks of rosary beads shouts of the overseers Until your bell tolled its daily call to prayer. Then all knelt together silently, briefly. Faithful Franciscan fathers, intent on planting the Kingdom of God (as they knew it) in the desert wastes of northern Mexico. Native peoples, lured from their wilderness homes by the promises of the mission, considered Catholic catechism a fair trade for food and protection. A few proud military officers from the local fort who protected the Mission from outside threats and inside chaos. All prayed to the same God in their own way. Ancient Shelter, your bell no longer rings but your chapel still welcomes reflection and prayer. I offered God, not prayer, but questions: Did the vision of the Mission’s founders die when it was closed? That dream of Your Kingdom come on earth where rich and poor brown and white tutored and simple priests and soldiers students and teachers powerful and powerless old, young and those in-between kneel together in praise and prayer? For brief moments during those few years that dream almost became real. Holy Spirit, namesake of this place, continue to dream that dream until it becomes a reality for all times, in every heart, everywhere. Text 9/10/2010 - MarySue H. Rosenberger Photos - Bruce E. Rosenberger
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Blacksmith's bellows at the Mission.		Spinning wheel and loom used by artisans at the Mission.

Entrance to Presidio La Bahía (the fort across the river from Mission Espíritu Santo).		Garita or Sentry Box on Presidio La Bahía -- the fort established to protect Mission Espíritu Santo.

Mission walls and workshop.		The mission has been restored and stands as a testimony to a vision of the faithful.

Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga Mission is the focal point of interest at Goliad State Park, Goliad, Texas. The Mission and its Presidio or fort were located on opposite sides of the San Antonio River at the present city of Goliad, Texas. The mission established originally in Victoria County was moved to its present location in 1749 and continued as a mission until 1830. Espíritu Santo is traditionally recognized as the first great cattle ranch in Texas. It has been estimated that the total number of cattle and horses belonging to the mission and the settlers of La Bahía may have reached some 40,000.
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