Juan María de Salvatierra facts for kids
Juan María de Salvatierra (born November 15, 1648 – died July 17, 1717) was a Catholic missionary. He was a member of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He traveled to the Americas to share his faith.
Contents
Juan Salvatierra's Life Story
Early Life and Education
Juan Salvatierra was born Gianmaria Salvatierra in Milan. At that time, Milan was the capital of the Duchy of Milan. This duchy was part of the large Holy Roman Empire. His father was from Spain, and his mother was Italian.
He studied at a Jesuit college in Parma. There, he found a book about "Indian missions." This book made him very interested in missionary work. He joined the Jesuit Order in Genoa. In 1675, he sailed to the Viceroyalty of New Spain. This area is now known as Mexico.
In New Spain, he continued his studies in theology. He also taught rhetoric for several years. He taught at the College of the Holy Spirit in Puebla.
Missionary Work Begins
Salvatierra decided not to take a position in a cathedral. Instead, he wanted to help the native people of North America. In June 1680, he went to the lands of the Tarahumara people. They lived in the mountains of Chihuahua.
He lived with the Tarahumara people for 10 years. During this time, he started several Catholic missions. Later, he became a visitor for the Spanish missions in the Sonoran Desert. These missions were in the Sonora y Sinaloa Province of New Spain.
Dream of Baja California
While working in Sonora, he met Father Eusebio Kino. Father Kino was also a missionary and explorer. They talked about the Baja California peninsula. All attempts to explore or settle this region by military groups had failed.
Salvatierra became very eager to bring Christianity to Baja California. In 1697, he finally received official permission. The missionaries would pay for all the costs themselves. After getting approval from his leaders, he sailed on October 10, 1697. He went to the Baja California region to start new missions.
Founding the First Mission
On October 15, 1697, Salvatierra landed at Bahía Concepción. This was on the coast of the Baja Peninsula. A few days later, on October 19, he started the first mission. It was called Misión Nuestra Señora de Loreto. He named it after Our Lady of Loreto, who was very important to him.
For a while, he did many jobs at the mission. He was the priest, captain, guard, and cook. He also studied the local languages. He learned from a vocabulary list made by earlier Jesuits, Father Eusebio Kino and Father Juan Copart. He also learned from the native people who came near the mission.
Expanding the Missions
Salvatierra quickly learned an indigenous language. In seven years, he started six more missions along the Baja California coast. He also explored new areas. Father Juan de Ugarte was his main helper in this work.
People who wanted to help donated money for the missions. This money became known as the Fondo Piadoso. This means "Pious Fund" or "Holy Fund." It was a special fund to support the missions.
In 1704, Salvatierra was chosen to be the leader of the Jesuit order in Mexico. He lived in Mexico City for a few years. But when his term ended in 1707, he returned to his missions in Baja California.
Final Journey and Death
In 1717, the Viceroy Baltasar de Zúñiga y Guzmán called Salvatierra to the capital. The King of Spain, Philip V, wanted a history of California to be written. Salvatierra was asked to provide information for it.
Even though he was sick, Salvatierra obeyed. He crossed the Gulf of California (also called the Sea of Cortez). He continued his journey along the coast. He arrived in the city of Guadalajara and died there. The whole city gathered for his funeral. His remains were buried with special ceremonies. He was laid to rest in the chapel he had built for the Lady of Loreto.
Writings and Legacy
Juan María de Salvatierra wrote several letters. These included Cartas sobre la Conquista espiritual de Californias (1698) and Nuevas cartas sobre Californias (1699). These writings were used by Father Miguel Venegas in his book Historia de Californias. Salvatierra's Relaciones (1697–1709) were also published in Documentos para la Historia de Mexico.
Salvatierra is still known as "the Apostle of California." He shares this title with the Franciscan friar Junípero Serra. Serra founded many of the Spanish missions in Alta California.
Monuments and Memorials
- Salvatierra Walk at Stanford University is named after Father Salvatierra.
- Salvatierra Crater in the El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve is named in his honor. Another crater there is named for Father Eusebio Kino. This honors their exploration of the region in 1701.
See also
In Spanish: Juan María de Salvatierra para niños
- Spanish missions in Baja California
- Spanish missions in Alta California
- Alta California
