# Book II: Missionary Journeys explained — Death Comes for the Archbishop

> Chapter companion for Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather.

## What happens

Father Vaillant returns from a missionary journey to Albuquerque, stopping at Manuel Lujon's rancho to marry servants and baptize children. He persuades Lujon to give him two prized white mules, Contento and Angelica, one for himself and one for Bishop Latour. Later, the Bishop and Vicar ride through a storm in the Truchas mountains. The chapter also recounts the Bishop's meeting with Kit Carson, the hanging of murderer Buck Scales, and the Bishop's trip to St. Louis to bring back five Sisters of Loretto to found a school for girls in Santa Fe, where Magdalena finds happiness working for the nuns.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mission and Sacrifice

Father Vaillant's relentless dedication to his missionary duties, including marrying servants and baptizing children despite hardships, and his sacrifice of personal comfort to secure better mounts for the Church.

### Friendship and Loyalty

The growing friendship between Bishop Latour and Kit Carson, and the bond between Vaillant and Lujon, as well as the loyalty between the two priests.

### Cultural Clash and Harmony

The tension between Spanish and Native American cultures at Santo Domingo, and the integration of American frontiersmen like Carson into the Catholic mission.

## Character check-ins

### Father Joseph Vaillant

Returns from Albuquerque, marries servants at Manuel Lujon's rancho, baptizes children, and persuades Lujon to give him two white mules.

### Bishop Jean Marie Latour

Rides with Vaillant through the Truchas mountains, meets Kit Carson, travels to St. Louis, and brings Sisters of Loretto to Santa Fe.

### Kit Carson

Meets Bishop Latour, discusses his conversion to Catholicism, and helps with the case of Magdalena.

### Magdalena Valdez

Rescued from the murderer Buck Scales, later becomes housekeeper for the Sisters of Loretto and finds happiness.

### Manuel Chavez

Mentioned as Manuel Lujon, the rich ranchero who gives the mules to Father Vaillant.

## Key lines

> In mid-March, Father Vaillant was on the road, returning from a missionary journey to Albuquerque. He was to stop at the rancho of a rich Mexican, Manuel Lujon, to marry his men and maidservants who were living in concubinage, and to baptize the children.

In mid-March, Father Vaillant was traveling back from a missionary trip to Albuquerque, planning to stop at the ranch of a wealthy Mexican named Manuel Lujon to perform marriages for his servants who were cohabiting and to baptize their children.

_Sets the scene for Vaillant's missionary work and his visit to Lujon's rancho._

> The Bishop discussed the needs of his people at length with Carson. He felt great confidence in his judgment. The two men were about the same age, both a little over forty, and both had been sobered and sharpened by wide experience.

Bishop Latour talked extensively with Carson about the needs of his congregation, trusting Carson's judgment. Both men were around forty, seasoned by their diverse experiences.

_Highlights the mutual respect and friendship between Latour and Carson._

> When Father Vaillant rode in through the gateway, children came running from every direction, some with no clothing but a little shirt, and women with no shawls over their black hair came running after the children.

As Father Vaillant entered the gateway, children ran toward him from all sides, some wearing only a shirt, and women with uncovered black hair followed them.

_Illustrates the lively and informal atmosphere at Lujon's rancho._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters/book-ii-missionary-journeys
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters