As the rain clouds moved out and the summer heat began to rise, I decided that a day trip might be in order. One of the many nice things about living in Austin is that it's centrally located. Texas is 267,000 square miles of land, so getting from one place to another typically translates into a long drive.
However, just 79 miles south of Austin is the city of San Antonio. Feeling a little like getting out of the house I made it a family day trip yesterday, and although I took a couple hundred photos the ones I'd like to share with you are of the San Antonio missions.
While there are five missions in San Antonio, time restraints prevented me from visiting all of them. One of the most beautiful is Mission Concepción, which reportedly looks very much the way it did when it was constructed almost 300 years ago. Being there felt a little like stepping back in time.
Twelve years ago, when my oldest son was still an infant, my wife and I attended a Saturday evening Mass at Mission Espada, which at the time was still an active parish. I remember the Mass being in English, which I thought to be interesting for a parish in a Spanish-speaking community. On this visit I did see some signs that Mission Espada is still under the direction of the Franciscans.
Along the way to Mission Espada I passed Mission San Juan and took a quick photo.
By this time the gates at Mission San José were closed, so unfortunately I was not able to photograph it.
Due to the time of day none of the missions I visited were open for interior viewing, with the exception of the Alamo--actually my first stop downtown upon arrival in San Antonio. However, interior photography is not allowed there. Still I managed to get a number of good exterior shots.
Finally, I made a visit to San Antonio's San Fernando Cathedral--itself not a mission--where I was able to take a number of very good interior photos. The most striking were of the Cathedral's old main altarpiece, which is now used as a chapel because the actual altar has been moved to the center of the Cathedral.
While at the Cathedral I discovered that the remains of William B. Travis, David Crockett, and James Bowie are all interred there. My own ancestors were in Texas in the days of the Battle of the Alamo. At that time in order to live in Texas immigrants were required to convert. My early Texas ancestors were both residents of Mexico and Catholic, at least officially.
There's one thing certain about visiting San Antonio this time of year: it's hot. I've heard it said that not even the devil himself will go to San Antonio in the summer, but you've got to wonder whether it's the heat or the wonderful Catholic history of the place that really deters him.
LOL!
What an awesome photographer you are! You've got me gasping, here.. and why didn't you tell us that Texas was every bit as beautiful as Ireland?
Posted by: JustMe | July 11, 2007 at 05:31 PM
Great pictures. Have you ever been to Panna Maria? It's a bit of a ghost town now, but the parish church there is supposed to be very nice.
Posted by: Deacon Jim | July 12, 2007 at 09:18 PM
Actually Jim, a number of years ago when I was first married my wife and I visited Panna Maria. I recall that we stopped at Immaculate Conception and walked around on the grounds. I'd like to go back soon--if I get a chance this summer, or even on a weekend later in the year, I'll post some photos.
Posted by: Deacon DW | July 12, 2007 at 11:54 PM
These missions are so beautiful. What a lovely idea for a day-trip. Thanks for putting the pictures up.
Posted by: Gabrielle | July 13, 2007 at 10:30 PM