Lessons from the Florida Martyrs of Mission San Antonio.
- Roland Flores
- Feb 16
- 4 min read
Ave María! May Our Immaculate Lady, Mary the Mother of God, together with St. Anthony, little Antonia and all the Florida Martyrs, pray for us! On 14 February 1647, a horrific massacre occurred against the Christians of the Florida panhandle. At the time, the Spanish were beginning to settle the area and Missionaries were evangelizing the local apalchee tribes with great success. By 1647, 8 of the 40 Apalachee tribes had embraced the Catholic faith, 5,000 apalachee had been baptized, and dozens of chapels dotted the panhandle. This success however, did not go unnoticed. Those who refused to forget their old idols were unhappy at the general success of the Spanish missionaries, stirred a rebellion against Spanish and their missionaries. Tribal Shamans planned a brutal uprising to drive out the Catholic faith from the Florida panhandle. On 14 February 1647, the pagan warriors attacked the newly established Mission San Antonio de Bacuqua in modern day Tallahassee. These pagan Apalachee warriors were supported by Chisca warriors from further north who did not want missionaries to venture into their territory.
At the time of the attack, the Mission was preparing to celebrate the Franciscan feast of the translation of the relics of St. Anthony.
The pagan attackers managed to kill many Catholic Apalachee indians and to utterly destroy the Mission Church of St. Anthony. In the attack three Franciscan friars were killed, along with the Commander, his family and six soldiers. Among the commander’s family was his wife Juana de Leiva, his eldest daughter Maria de Florencia, who was pregnant, her husband Juan Guerrero and their infant Barbara Guerrero. As well as his other daughter, 15 year old Antonia de Florencia. Temporarily, the pagans succeeded to forcing the Spanish and Christian Apalachee to flee their territory.
In the absence of the Christians, seven of the eight missions were destroyed. This pagan victory was short. Spanish forces reinforced the Christian Apalachee braves and helped them drive out the pagans. The bodies of the slain were found and buried. The pagans were brutal. We know from the surviving records that the pagans not only killed the infant of María but also brutally cut out her child from her womb. We also know that Antonia was particularly courageous and demonstrative in defending the “Law of God.” In retaliation for her faith, she was tied to a pillar of the bell tower of the church and her breasts and tongue were cut off. After this massacre however, a renaissance of the Catholic faith took place among the inhabitants of the panhandle. In almost in every village, the natives began to erect crosses and requested that friars be sent to them so that they may be instructed in the faith. Just one year after the attack, the seven destroyed Churches were rebuilt. It was no doubt because of the blood of the Martyrs that the faith would take root in Florida. St. Alphonsus says: “If the reading of the Lives of the Saints is a great means to preserve piety, as is said by St. Philip Neri,' and as is taught by all the masters of spiritual life, we shall find it yet more useful to read about the victories that the holy martyrs gained by sacriticing their lives amid torments.” So with that in mind and using his texts, let’s reflect on lessons of faith from the Florida martyrs of Mission San Antonio.
A lesson on faith from the Martyrs.
How great is the Holy Catholic Faith that so many would travel to distant and dangerous lands to preach it? How sure is this Faith, taught by Christ and given by the apostles, that so many would die before losing it? St. Alphonsus, the Moral doctor of the Church, taught this : “Our holy faith is a treasure of unspeakable value, for in it we possess first of all a divine light which serves to guide us safely on the way to Heaven.” St. Alphonsus coninues: “It is no more than right that we subject to God our will by the observance of His holy law, and our reason by believing His infallible word.”
Christ confirmed the two questions when He said to His apostles: “Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” And Our Lord says in another place: “Every one therefore that shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But he that shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” So with these two commands, we can clearly see foundation of the faith of these early Florida Catholics. St. Alponsus teaches: “The martyrs, therefore, acquired great merits, because the virtues of which they gave proofs in their combats were great and heroic. We shall briefly describe these virtues in order that we may imitate them in the tribulations to which we may be exposed in this life. We at first remark that the martvrs were firmly attached to all the dogmas of the Christian faith.” This here we find our point of reflection, we must know our faith and remain steadfast to her teachings. When we look into the occasion of the Martyrs of Mission San Antonio, we can only hope to have the faith that they have. Specifically little Antonia, who fearlessly defended the Law of God despite the tortures of heathens. St. Alphonsus comes to our aid again: “From the example of the martyrs we learn also to place our confidence only in God, and to become daily more enamoured of the excellence of our faith: since in their constancy we cannot help admiring the wonderful power of God which enabled them to encounter torments and death with heroic fortitude and ecstatic joy.” As Lent fast approaches us and great opportunities arise for us to grow in faith and virtues, let us look to the martyrs of our beloved Florida for inspiration and unwavering intercession.
References:
The Martyrs of the United States by Bishop David Arias Pérez.
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SAINT ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
VICTORIES OF THE MARTYRS SAINT ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
Gospel According to St Matthew.
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