Cavalry of Christ facts for kids
The Cavalry of Christ was a special group of Catholic priests. They were part of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. These priests traveled huge distances on horseback. Their mission was to help Catholic families living on isolated ranches. This happened in the Rio Grande region of Texas between 1849 and 1904.
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The Story of the Cavalry of Christ
After Texas joined the United States, a bishop named Jean-Marie Odin invited the Oblates to come. These priests were young Frenchmen from cities. They arrived in Texas in 1849. Their job was to serve Catholics in the eight southernmost counties of Texas.
The Rio Grande area back then was like the American Old West. The Oblates faced many dangers. These included violent crime and diseases like yellow fever. The Catholic families they served were often poor. They lived far apart in a huge area. This region had very hot weather and often flooded.
As the priests rode their six-week trips, they were easy to spot. They wore long black robes called soutanes. An Oblate cross hung from their necks. Besides leading religious services, they also started and ran schools. They had schools in Brownsville and Galveston.
From 1849 to 1851, the mission had three priests, a Brother, and a student. They served the Brownsville area. From 1852 to 1883, there were 30 priests and 8 Brothers. They helped hundreds of ranches. Their main centers were Brownsville, Roma, and La Lomita. Sometimes, they also served churches in Mexico. These included Matamoros and Ciudad Victoria. In 1883, the American Oblate Province was created.
From 1883 to 1904, a few Oblates continued to serve parts of Texas. This included Eagle Pass and San Antonio. In 1904, they moved their main Texas office to San Antonio.
Brave Priests of the Cavalry
Several priests from the Cavalry of Christ are well-remembered.
Father Pierre Yves Kéralum
One famous member was Father Pierre Yves Kéralum (1817–1872). He was a French priest and an architect. He designed the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville. Father Kéralum was also skilled in building. He laid bricks and built church pews and coffins.
People knew him for being humble and kind. Locals called him "el Santo Padre Pedrito," meaning "Saintly Father Pedrito." Even in his 50s, with poor health and bad eyesight, he kept traveling. He visited more than 70 ranches on his route. Because he was almost blind, he got lost several times. In 1872, he left a ranch near Mercedes, Texas and never returned. His remains were found in the brush ten years later.
Father Kéralum is still honored by Catholics in the area. In 1995, the cathedral square in Brownsville was named after him. In 2005, local Catholics asked for him to be made a saint.
Father Jean Baptiste Brétault
Father Jean Baptiste Brétault (1843–1934) is remembered for his 39 years of service. He rode about 70,000 miles! He served the area that is now Hidalgo, Willacy, Kenedy, and Kleberg counties.
Father Pierre Parisot
Father Pierre Parisot (1827-1903) started Saint Joseph's College in Brownsville. This school is now Saint Joseph Academy. He also served as a pastor there. In 1899, he wrote a book called Reminiscences of a Texas Missionary. This book describes what life was like for the Oblates. For example, he wrote about helping a family whose child was killed by an alligator. He also gave last rites to a soldier who was to be shot. He even worked to free priests who were political prisoners in Matamoros.
