Hello History Enthusiasts. You can find the Journal of the Anza Expedition online. I thought you all might like to read the Christmas Day 1775 entry. The baby boy born on Christmas Eve was 2months old when he passed through Pismo Beach in 1776. Monday, December 25.—Because a little before midnight on this holy night of the Nativity, the wife of a soldier, the one whom I mentioned yesterday happily gave birth to a boy, and because the day was very raw and foggy, it was decided that we should remain here today. I therefore had an opportunity to say three Masses, and after them I solemnly baptized the boy, naming him Salvador Ygnacio. [Footnote 149] The day continued foggy until afternoon, when the sun shone a little, and the night began somewhat fair. Because the place is very short of water and pasturage the cattle went ahead on the trail. Today I was slightly relieved of my ills. So savage and wild are the Indians of these sierras that last night they left their huts and climbed up in the rocks, perhaps fearful at seeing that we had stopped and did not go forward as they signaled us to do. Although they have seen that nobody has done them the least harm, yet very rarely have they come down to the floor of the canyon; but some have permitted themselves to be seen on the tops of the hills among the rocks. From this I infer that although an attempt might be made to found in this neighborhood a mission for the Jecuiche tribe, in case it were possible it would be as difficult to reduce these Indians to a settlement as to confine wild sheep to a domestic fold; for it will not be easy to get them out from among the rocks, unless God does it all, for they climb with the ease and speed of deer. [Footnote 150] Since this was so important a day, in the first Mass I gave a talk concerning the Mystery. And because of the drunkenness which had occurred I could not do less than say something, reprimanding such noise and disorders, especially in the circumstances in which we found ourselves. Apparently this did not sit well with the commander, judging from the asperity and ungraciousness which he manifested, for he continued angry with me all day. In order that it might be on record in case of need, I afterward made a few notes of what I said in my sermon, which in substance was as follows: I well know the little profit which I shall get from talking, because I play no role here, and the little attention which will be paid; [Footnote 151] and I may be able to say with St. John, Vox clamanti, [Footnote 152] for the Holy Spirit tells me Ubi non est auditus non effundas sermonem. [Footnote 153] But St. Paul also tells me, Ministerium tuum imple. [Footnote 154] And there are days which, as San Gregorio says, although they may be occupied, because of their solemnity may not be passed without saying something. What day is this? You say, Christmas Eve. And why is it so called? Was not Christmas Eve the night of the Supper, the Resurrection? Why do they say Christmas Eve? Is it because this is a night for much eating and drinking, and fandangos and drunkenness, and noise and lewdness? Oh, earth, earth, how you change everything! The most sacred days are turned into days of greatest profanity. No, my faithful, it is called Christmas Eve because this is the night when Christ, so much desired by the Ancients was born in order to free us from slavery, and to open heaven to us. We became slaves because of the original sin, and in order to show that He came to free us all and to save us, you see the circumstances of the time when he is born. He is born at the time of the edict of Caesar (the exposition of San Gregorio concerning the gospel of the first Mass). But just as the emperor wished to make a census of all the world, and many remained uncounted, so God Omnes homines vult salvos fieri, [Footnote 155] nevertheless there remain so many heathen as we see outside of the church and so many Christians. He is born in Bethlehem, Domus panis; [Footnote 156] and being born like bread there are few who like it, for they are content to confess once a year and even less if they can (I said this to suggest that the people should confess, which I had not been able to induce them to do during the whole journey, having urged them ever since before starting out, and some had not complied with the church on account of the little regard which they showed for me and what I said). He was born not in His house, nor in His fatherland, in order that we may understand that all the world is His fatherland; or better, He was born in exile. Non habemus hic maneentem civitatem. [Footnote 157] How many of you who have come sigh for your fatherland, for Sinaloa, for Culiacán, and do not sigh for your true fatherland, Heaven? Says St. Leo: Agamus ergo gratias Deo patri per Jesum Christum in Spiritu Sancto. [Footnote 158] And I concluded with the same St. Leo: Agnosce o Christiane dignitatem tuam et divinae factus consors naturae noli in veterem vilitatem degeneri conversatione redire [Footnote 159] (Explain and apply). With this I promise a happy Christmas for everybody, and that God may grant us grace in this world, in order that we may praise Him throughout eternity in the fatherland of glory. Ad quam, etc. [Footnote 160] Since I was so ill, I was not able to conform to the regimen which the commander followed in the meals, which was chocolate in the morning, and then during the whole day nothing to eat until the days march was ended, and at times not until night. I therefore many times asked for something to carry with me to eat during the day, although I might be traveling, and ordinarily I obtained it with a great deal of difficulty. Many times I went without supper because it consisted only of Chile and beans and I was better off without it, going to bed early without waiting for such supper and so late. When I was about to retire the commissary came to my tent with a message from the commander, as follows: His lordship wants to know if your Reverence has anything for San Gabriel. I replied, For San Gabriel? Why? He answered, Yes, because tomorrow, as soon as we reach camp he is going to send mail by some soldiers for that mission. Yes, I would like to write, I replied. But why must I write now, when it is so late? The fact is that he must have decided to do this several days ago. As far back as at the Colorado River he decided to send that mail on our arrival at the Pass of San Carlos, but he did not tell me so, and now he lets me know about it at the last minute. Well, tell him that I will write when we reach camp tomorrow if there is time, and if not Ill have patience. I note these things down in order that they may serve as light by which it may be seen that in such journeys and with such lords it is necessary to arm oneself with patience.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 23:57:45 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015