The Guadalajara Reporter

Education’s long, bumpy history in Mexico

On August 31, 1534, Spanish evangelist, writer and revered Franciscan leader in New Spain, Father Martin de Valencia, collapsed on the wharf at Ayatzingo, and died. August 9, 2013, Mexican students here returned to school. There’s a gnarled connection between the two.

Valencia was the leader of “The Twelve” — friars who were chosen to answer Hernan Cortes‘ petition to Spanish religious authorities to send missionaries to begin the conversion and education of “los indios.” By this he had in mind the spiritual conquest of New Spain.
The Twelve arrived in Veracruz, May 13, 1524. Characteristic of Franciscans of that era, they walked barefoot — obeying their their vow of poverty — the rough trail from Veracruz to Mexico City.

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