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Franciscan missions in New Spain

Type Event Region North America Time 1524

In May 1524 twelve Franciscan friars led by Martín de Valencia arrived in New Spain, founding monasteries, learning indigenous languages, and advocat…

Timeline

  1. 1524Port of Veracruz · MexicoMartín de Valencia led twelve Franciscan friars (known as the Twelve Apostles of Mexico) ashore at Veracruz, commissioned by Cortés and the Spanish Crown as New Spain's first systematic missionaries.
  2. 1524Mexico City · MexicoThe mission party settled in Mexico City, established the first Franciscan monastery with colonial authority support, began contacting indigenous inhabitants, learned Nahuatl, and planned a mission network.
  3. 1524Tlaxcala and sites in the Valley of Mexico · MexicoFriars fanned out to Tlaxcala, Xochimilco, and other places to preach, using itinerant preaching to reach deep into indigenous communities, marking the initial establishment of New Spain's Franciscan mission system.

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