Celebrating special dates is a common practice among men; whether it’s birthdays, New Year’s, or historical anniversaries, these moments are often cause for joy and celebration. When the date marks a significant centennial milestone, the festivities tend to be even grander.
Imagine marking the 500th anniversary of a momentous event – now that is truly an occasion worth commemorating in a big way.
Today, on May 13, 2024, we honor the arrival of the “twelve apostles” to the lands of New Spain in 1524. These twelve Franciscans, sent by Pope Adrian VI, ventured to the New World not to conquer lands, but to win over souls for the greater glory of God.
Before their arrival, prompted by Hernán Cortés’s plea for “men of faith,” there were already a few religious figures in the region. One such individual was Fray Bartolomé de Olmedo, a Mercedarian who played a crucial role in baptizing the native women given to the Spanish by the chiefs of Tabasco, including Doña Marina, who later became instrumental in the shaping of New Spain.
500 years ago today, Brother Martín de Valencia and eleven other Franciscan friars arrived in New Spain, marking the beginning of significant evangelizing and missionary activities in Mexico. Among them was Toribio de Benavente, known as “Motolinía” among the locals for his dedication to the impoverished.
These men, through their humility and simplicity, embodied the spirit of Jesus’ teachings, spreading the Gospel message as instructed: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to all creation.”
They fulfilled many of the Lord’s prophesies, casting out demons, speaking in new languages, and offering spiritual healing to countless souls.
These twelve individuals sowed the seeds of the gospel in Mexico, paving the way for Christianity to flourish in the region for the next 500 years. Their unwavering dedication, coupled with divine support – manifested in the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary in 1531 – transformed Mexico into a land of faith and blessings.
As we reflect on these 500 years of Christianity, we are reminded of the incredible impact that just twelve faithful men can have with the power of God behind them.
Let us give thanks for the presence of the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary in America, and for the enduring legacy of faith that has thrived on this land for centuries.
