*Who were the missionaries?
The Mission
The mission system was an attempt to gather the Texas Indian tribes into one place. The goal of the mission was to teach the Christian religion to the Indians and educate them so they would eventually become loyal subjects of Spain. The Spaniards estimated this would take about ten years.
The mission had three purposes;
-to Christianize and baptize the Indians
-to teach them trades and the niceties of European civilization
-to extend Spanish influence and authority throughout the area. The mission was a combination of church (worship of the Christian God with memorized prayers and songs), school (instruction in Christian teachings and the Spanish language), and workshop (teaching of practical skills ad development of artistic talents).
-to Christianize and baptize the Indians
-to teach them trades and the niceties of European civilization
-to extend Spanish influence and authority throughout the area. The mission was a combination of church (worship of the Christian God with memorized prayers and songs), school (instruction in Christian teachings and the Spanish language), and workshop (teaching of practical skills ad development of artistic talents).
The Indians who agreed to become Christians and be baptized by the missionaries helped to build the mission. The mission they built then became their home and a place of safety from their enemies.