Juan de Padilla facts for kids

Juan de Padilla (born around 1490, died 1542) was a Spanish Catholic priest and missionary. He was a member of the Franciscan order. Juan de Padilla spent much of his life exploring North America with a famous explorer named Francisco Vásquez de Coronado. He was killed in what is now Kansas by Native Americans in 1542.

Juan de Padilla's Explorations

Juan de Padilla and three other Franciscan priests joined Coronado on a big journey. They were with over 300 Spanish soldiers and workers. Their goal was to find the Seven Cities of Gold, a mythical land believed to be very rich.

Discovering New Lands

When Coronado stopped looking for the Seven Cities of Gold, Padilla and others kept exploring. They traveled through what is now the Southwestern United States. Juan de Padilla was one of the first Europeans to see the amazing Grand Canyon.

Later, a Native American guide told Coronado about a great land called Quivira. This place was said to be in modern-day Kansas. Coronado and his entire group immediately set off to find it.

Mission in Quivira

In 1541, the Spaniards reached Quivira. They camped near a Wichita village for 25 days. However, they did not find any gold. Coronado then returned to the Southwest, and Padilla went with him.

One year later, in 1542, Father Padilla bravely returned to Kansas. He wanted to preach to the Wichita people. He also aimed to set up the first Christian mission in what is now the United States.

Juan de Padilla's Death

Sadly, Juan de Padilla was killed in Kansas in 1542. He was killed by Native Americans. He is remembered as one of the first Christian martyrs in the United States.

Legends About Juan de Padilla

A famous story about Juan de Padilla is called the "Rising of the coffin of Padre Padilla." For many years, people in Isleta, New Mexico, told stories of seeing his coffin rise above the ground. Many believed this miracle happened.

Some legends also claimed that his body looked fresh, even after many years. This is called "incorruptibility." However, there are no witnesses who saw his body being incorruptible.

The Investigation by Anton Docher

A priest named Anton Docher served in Isleta. He decided to investigate the miracle of the rising coffin. He opened Padre Padilla's grave with several witnesses present. During this, Docher accidentally hurt his arm. He got a serious infection called gangrene. Doctors thought they might have to cut off his arm to save his life.

The local Native Americans prayed to Padre Padilla for help. Docher also prayed to Padre Padilla to heal him and forgive him for disturbing the grave. It is said that his wound then disappeared.

Memorials to Juan de Padilla

Cross in honor of Juan de Padilla near Lyons, Kansas.

In 1950, a group called the Knights of Columbus put up a special cross. This cross honors Juan de Padilla. It is located near Lyons, Kansas. The stone marker on the cross has an important message:

This Cross is erected to the memory of Father Padilla, Franciscan Missionary, who stood with Coronado at the erection of the first Christian Cross on these prairies. Father Padilla devoted his life to the service of the Cross and to the Indians of Quivira and suffered a martyr's death in that service in the year of our Lord 1542.

The symbol on the Cross is inscribed, Jesus Christ, Victor, and expresses the victory of faith and sacrifice. The square, quartered by the Cross, denotes the four corners of the World brought into Christian unity when Father Padilla carried the Cross of Christianity to the center of the New World.

This monument is a gift to the people of Kansas by the Knights of Columbus of this State. Erected 1950.

This message explains that the cross remembers Father Padilla. He helped set up the first Christian cross in these lands. He gave his life to serve God and the Native Americans of Quivira. The cross also has a symbol meaning "Jesus Christ, Victor." This shows the victory of faith and sacrifice. The square shape with a cross inside means that Christianity was brought to the center of the New World. This monument was given to the people of Kansas by the Knights of Columbus in 1950.