Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Antonio

On the day of my visit to the San Juan Capistrano morning Mass, there was an indian gathering in the court yard. Before the Mass the Padre had asked the gathering of indians, who had come to pay respect to thier dead, to please have respect during the Mass and not beat their drums. However, when Mass begain the drums in the courtyard continued to beat. The Padre was not too happy with this situation and went outside to ask that they stop their cerimonial rite. After the Mass had begun the door of the old mission swang open and several indians in full ceremonial dress entered the church. Time seemed to stop for several tense moments as it was impossible to tell what century the old mission was in. For a moment I wanted to push my children under the pew before the shooting started. Then you could sense a sigh of relief as the christian indians who were catholic had come in peacefully to attend Mass. After 275 years of continous service to the local community, the San Juan Capistrano Sunday morning Mass can still be an adventure into the old west.