Firecrackers

[lvcabbie]

I know this may seem to be a strange question but why would Jesuits in 1753 Baja California order fireworks among their supply items?

This comes from a summary of supplies ordered by the Jesuits to their procurement father in Mexico City as listed in Antigua California.

I cannot find any rite or reason for having them.

Any ideas?

 

[christofirst]

I know this may seem to be a strange question but why would Jesuits in 1753 Baja California order fireworks among their supply items?

This comes from a summary of supplies ordered by the Jesuits to their procurement father in Mexico City as listed in Antigua California.

I cannot find any rite or reason for having them.

Any ideas?

I’m not aware of any reason. Are you sure its fireworks they wanted? What is the word in the original language, which I assume was Spanish or maybe Latin?

Or maybe the farsighted Jesuits were ordering their fireworks 25 years early in anticipation of the 4th of July .

 

[CB_Catholic]

I’m not aware of any reason. Are you sure its fireworks they wanted? What is the word in the original language, which I assume was Spanish or maybe Latin?

Or maybe the farsighted Jesuits were ordering their fireworks 25 years early in anticipation of the 4th of July .

I looked it up and it was common in settlements for the Jesuits to order fireworks–there are a couple of loooong articles on the internet about the Jesuits in Michigan and other areas and they mention fireworks as part of their supplies. So it is no language problem.

Apparently, back then, as even today, fireworks were used as part of celebrations, and that includes religious celebrations for feast days, so my guess is that is the reason-- for religious celebrations, and that is still done in parts of the world today, probably even in our own country too, depending on the cultural background of the people.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Interesting. Since fireworks were invented in China, can we assume the Jesuits were first exposed to them during their mission work in China, then used them in other mission fields?

 

[CB_Catholic]

Interesting. Since fireworks were invented in China, can we assume the Jesuits were first exposed to them during their mission work in China, then used them in other mission fields?

I wouldn’t know, but I also don’t know if other religious orders in this country used them too. It is a possibility this was not limited to the Jesuits, as customs from all over the world have been imported into American religious celebrations. That is an interesting question.

 

[SMHW]

C

Apparently, back then, as even today, fireworks were used as part of celebrations, and that includes religious celebrations for feast days, so my guess is that is the reason-- for religious celebrations, and that is still done in parts of the world today, probably even in our own country too, depending on the cultural background of the people.

To today’s ears, “religious celebrations” sounds like something that happens strictly inside the Church. I don’t know if fireworks were set off during Mass, but the celebrating of religious feasts probably included a lot of rather secular celebrating as well, including food, dancing, and games so fireworks would have been very appropriate.

The Jesuits would likely have included “party-planning” in their list of responsibilities.

 

[Jeannie52]

Or maybe the farsighted Jesuits were ordering their fireworks 25 years early in anticipation of the 4th of July .

 

[lvcabbie]

Well, I did learn that they ordered FIRECRACKERS to use during some of the festivals they conducted where they mixed a saint’s day or other religious event to bring unconverted Indians to the mission. The idea was to show them a better way of life so they too would seek baptism.

I’ve seen reports of religious festivals in Mexico and other Latin American countries using fireworks so they may just be holdovers from the 1700s or even earlier.

Remember this was in 1752 and Marco Polo brought fireworks back from China much earlier. In addition, Spain had the Manila trade where gunpowder was common.

Thanks for the comments though.

 

[AngelusDomini]

Firecrackers are a staple part of many outdoor processions in parts of Spain and Italy to honour patron saints and solemnities (often starting early in the morning and going in late into the night). If ever you have a chance, go to one (but wear old clothes - showers of sparks have a tendency to burn holes in clothing).