When I went to go visit the San Fernando Mission, it was really a unique experience. That is because there is so much history in one single location, and this isn’t some painting where you have to guess what their meaning behind the piece of art was, rather there are hard facts of what actually happened. Over 200 years ago is when this beautiful gem of a place was founded, in saying that its crazy to think about all the important footprints that walked across the grounds. That is why I wanted to go and visit it, because this building made a huge impact in the way California was set up. That was a huge reason for me wanting to go and visit one of these places.
Feeling Out of Place
Standing in the middle of the mission, I looked around and I saw a bunch of other people looking around at the scenery just like I am. The was a ton of greenery, but I thought to myself, “Was there this much when they first started out? Or was it a dirt lot?” Trees, bushes, flowers and the sound of birds is what also greeted me as I walked through it. For me personally, however, I am not really religious myself…so to be in a place that was basically like a church was weird for me. Felt out of place, the way I was dressed wasn’t the same as the people around me. Jeans and a shirt, compared to others that wore dresses and suits. Like should I have gone home and changed, or not? It was really weird and I didn’t like the fact that I felt so out of place. All in all, no matter how awkward I felt, I still kept my composure and walked around and took in as much history as I could.
Facts and Purpose
Here are some facts that I learned about the mission:
-between the years of 1834 and 1861 is was not catholic
-the goal of the mission was to get people to convert to their religion and also to turn them into good Spanish colonists.
- they were taught European-style farming, animal husbandry, mechanical arts and domestic crafts
The whole point to the missions up and down California was that they wanted them to change everything about how the natives lived. To make them come out and become just like them, so that they could spread their beliefs faster. And since there was 17 missions, that wasn’t going to be an issue whatsoever.
-between the years of 1834 and 1861 is was not catholic
-the goal of the mission was to get people to convert to their religion and also to turn them into good Spanish colonists.
- they were taught European-style farming, animal husbandry, mechanical arts and domestic crafts
The whole point to the missions up and down California was that they wanted them to change everything about how the natives lived. To make them come out and become just like them, so that they could spread their beliefs faster. And since there was 17 missions, that wasn’t going to be an issue whatsoever.
Jennifer Juarez is a student at CSUN, that has changed her major multiple times, to the point where she still doesn't know what she wants to do for the rest of her life. But that is what college is for, to figure out what you want to do.