College of San Fernando de Mexico facts for kids
The College of San Fernando de México was a special school, almost like a training center, for Roman Catholic priests. It was founded in Mexico City on October 15, 1734, by a group of priests known as the Franciscan Order.
This school was created to give specific training to priests who would work with the native communities in what was then called the Viceroyalty of New Spain. This large area included modern-day Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States. The goal was to prepare them for missionary work, which meant teaching and helping people in these areas.
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What Was the College of San Fernando?
The College of San Fernando was a type of "apostolic college" or seminary. This means it was a place where people studied to become priests, specifically focusing on missionary work. The Franciscan Order, a religious group, set it up to help spread their faith and support communities in the Spanish colonies.
Why Was It Important?
The college played a big role in the history of North America. It trained many priests who went on to establish missions. These missions were like small communities or settlements where priests lived and worked with native populations. They taught about their religion, but also introduced new farming methods, crafts, and sometimes even new languages. Many of these missions became important historical sites.
Famous People Who Studied There
Many individuals who became well-known for their work as missionaries or leaders in the Spanish colonies studied at the College of San Fernando. They traveled to different parts of New Spain, including what is now California, to establish missions and work with the local people.
- Gregório Amúrrio
- Narciso Durán
- Vicente Fustér
- Luís Jayme
- José Joaquin Jimeno
- Pablo de Mugártegui
- Vicente Pascual Oliva
- Francisco Palóu
- Mariano Payéras
- Andrés Quintana
- José Bernardo Sánchez
- Vicente de Santa María
- José Francisco de Paula Señan
- Junípero Serra
- Buenaventura Sitjar
Related Places to Explore
If you're interested in the College of San Fernando, you might also like to learn about these other related places and missions:
- College of Guadalupe de Zacatecas
- College of Santa Cruz de Querétaro
- Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda
- Spanish missions in Baja California
- Spanish missions in California
