College of Santa Cruz de Querétaro facts for kids
The College of Santa Cruz de Querétaro was a special school in New Spain, which is now Mexico. It was like a training center for Franciscan missionaries. These missionaries were people who traveled to new places to teach about the Catholic faith.
This college was located in a city called Querétaro, Querétaro. It was the second school of its kind in the New World (North and South America) that trained Catholic missionaries.
The school started in 1683. It was founded by a person named Antonio Llinás. Another important founder was Damián Massanet. The college welcomed students from both Spain and Mexico. If a student came from Spain, the king or queen would pay for their travel. In return, these students promised to work as missionaries for ten years.
Nine important members from the college later went on to serve in Spanish Texas. They helped establish missions and spread the Catholic faith in that region.
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What Was the College of Santa Cruz de Querétaro?
The College of Santa Cruz de Querétaro was a special type of school. It was known as a missionary college or a seminary. Its main goal was to train Franciscan friars. These friars would then become missionaries. They would travel to different parts of the New World. Their job was to teach people about the Catholic religion. They also helped to build new communities.
Where Was This College Located?
The college was built in a city called Querétaro, Querétaro. This city is in modern-day Mexico. Querétaro was an important place during the time of New Spain. It was a good location for a school that trained missionaries. From here, they could travel to many different areas.
Who Founded the College?
The College of Santa Cruz de Querétaro was founded in the year 1683. Two key people helped to start this important school. One was Antonio Llinás. The other was Damián Massanet. They both played a big part in setting up the college. They wanted a place where missionaries could be properly trained.
Who Could Study There?
The college accepted students from different backgrounds. Both people born in Spain and those born in Mexico could apply. This was important because it allowed a mix of cultures. It also helped to train missionaries who understood the local people. For students coming from Spain, their travel costs were paid. This was a benefit from the Spanish crown. In return, these students agreed to serve as missionaries for ten years. This helped ensure that the college had dedicated workers.
Its Importance in Spanish Texas
The College of Santa Cruz de Querétaro played a big role in Spanish Texas. Many of its early members became important missionaries there. Nine of these first members went to Texas. They helped to establish Spanish missions in Texas. These missions were not just churches. They were also communities. They taught local people about farming and other skills. The college helped to shape the history of Texas.
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