'Filipinos' and Other Non-Spanish Missionaries During the Early Years of the Mariana Mission 1668-1673.

The establishment of Spain's colonies and Christian missions was carried out not only by the Spaniards themselves but by people from other lands and nationalities. These included "Filipinos" and natives from the Philippines. The Mariana Islands in the western Pacific was one of the areas of colonization and Christianization of the Spaniards. The establishment of the colony and mission in the islands was carried out by the Jesuits. The missionaries from this order wholeheartedly joined the enterprise and were responsible for setting up the colony as well as the present towns and villages in Guam, Saipan, Rota and Tinian. They lived a life of self-denial, humility and charity which they offered for the greater glory of God. They did not fear death but actually wished for it seeing it as a way to attain divine reward. A number of the missionaries gave up their lives as martyrs and others because of poor health. They lived giving service to others and accommodated others first before themselves. The rewards they sought were not of this earth. These could only be given by God in the afterlife. Their lives and strong faith serve as examples for present-day Christians. On the other hand, the missionaries were placed at the crossroads of civilization. In their desire to convert the natives, they had to eradicate native customs deemed as contrary to Christianity. This caused antagonism among the inhabitants they swore to serve. At the same time, the missionaries were part of Spain's colonizing force which ended the freedom of the natives which was a legacy from their forefathers. Like the members of the garrison the missionaries were given the same label of guirragos or barbarians by the inhabitants. Many of the missionaries were slain or injured in the armed Chamorro movements which were actually attempts to regain their lost freedom and the preservation of their ancestral practices. As missionaries the Jesuit priests and brothers took care of the people, taught them the ways of western civilization and recorded history. Such was their role in contributing to the present society of the Mariana Islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]