Pioneer Jesuits in Northern Mexico

Pioneer Jesuits in Northern Mexico is the third volume in a compelling series exploring the Jesuits' transformative efforts in Spanish North America. Following the acclaimed works Educational Foundations of the Jesuits in Sixteenth-Century New Spain by Jacobsen and Pioneer Black Robes on the West Coast by Dunne, this installment delves into the arduous missionary work east of the Sierra Madre Occidental. With meticulous research and personal exploration of the regions discussed, the author offers a polished narrative accessible to both general readers and specialists. This volume enriches the historical tapestry, tracing the Jesuit missions' lesser-known expansion into Durango and Coahuila during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The book recounts the efforts of missionaries like Fathers Ramírez and Espinosa, whose ventures paralleled those of Tapia and Pérez along the Pacific coast. The narrative is punctuated by dramatic episodes, including the Indian rebellion of 1616, which posed a severe threat to the mission system but ultimately underscored the resilience of the Jesuits’ work. By the 1630s, stability had been restored, and the missions were advancing into new territories, setting the stage for the broader cultural and spiritual transformation of the region. Pioneer Jesuits in Northern Mexico not only illuminates a pivotal chapter in the march of civilization toward what is now the United States but also tells a gripping tale of adventure, perseverance, and martyrdom that will captivate its readers. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1944.