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Santa Maria Ágreda (1602-1665), a mystic nun who shared his
advocacy of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
Before leaving Spain for his missionary work in the New World,
Father Junipero Serra occupied the John Duns Scotus chair in
philosophy at Lullian University in Palma de Mallorca.
MISIÓN SEÑOR SAN FRANCISCO
DEL VALLE DE TILACO
(1762)
The relative distance to the Valley of Tilaco may explain why the
road to this outlying mission wasn’t paved until 1997, when the Méxican
government pronounced the Sierra Gorda a protected Biosphere Reserve.
Theatrical exuberance is the only way to describe the façade of Tilaco,
which runs riot with cherubs, mermaids, saints, musicians and a variety
of floral motifs. A huge urn tops the central section, while celestial angels
draw back the stone curtain that hangs from the valance above the
central window, a play on the illuminating light of God with the light that
shines into the choir loft. The requisite Franciscan cartouche of crossed
arms is given prominence over the central doorway.
MISIÓN NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA
LUZ DE TANCOYOL
(1767)
Oddly enough, the niche stands empty of its image of Our Lady
of Light to whom this church is dedicated. But the façade doesn’t lack
for other interesting elements, most notably the teaching scene of Saint
Francis receiving the stigmata. A winged figure of Christ sends lines
directly from his wounds of the crucifixion to the kneeling saint, while
angels swing incense that send volcano-like clouds toward heaven.
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ART&ARCHITECTURE
The neoclassical
interior of Santiago
de Jalpan.
Villagers assemble
for Mass at the
Landa mission.
The mission at Tilaco is located in
the far distance of this green valley.