Death Comes for the Archbishop · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather.
Father Joseph Vaillant
major
Also known as Father Vaillant, Joseph, Father Joseph, Young Father Joseph, Joseph Vaillant, little Joseph
Vicar and close friend of Bishop Latour, a devoted missionary in the Southwest.
Bishop Jean Marie Latour
major
Also known as Father Latour, Latour, Bishop Latour, Jean Marie Latour, Jean, Archbishop Latour
The newly appointed Vicar Apostolic of New Mexico, a cultured and spiritual leader.
Jacinto
supporting
A wise and loyal Native American guide who accompanies Bishop Latour.
Eusabio
supporting
Also known as The Navajo, Navajo
A respected Navajo leader and friend to Bishop Latour.
Friar Baltazar Montoya
supporting
Also known as Baltazar, The Friar
A corrupt and tyrannical friar at the mission of Ácoma.
Kit Carson
supporting
Also known as Carson, Christóbal
Famous frontiersman and scout who aids the Church in New Mexico.
Padre Antonio José Martínez
supporting
Also known as Martínez, Father Martínez, Antonio José Martínez
A powerful and controversial priest in Taos with strong political influence.
Magdalena Valdez
supporting
Also known as Magdalena
A young woman rescued from abuse by Father Vaillant.
Father Lucero
supporting
Also known as Lucero, Padre Lucero
A miserly priest who hoards wealth and opposes reform.
Doña Isabella
supporting
Also known as Isabella, Señora Isabella
A wealthy and proud Spanish widow in Santa Fe.
Padre Gallegos
supporting
Also known as Gallegos, Father Gallegos
A genial but worldly priest in Santa Fe who enjoys gambling and parties.
Trinidad Lucero
minor
Also known as Trinidad
A young man who assists Father Lucero and later becomes a priest.
Bernard Ducrot
minor
Also known as Bernard, young Bernard
A young French seminarian who travels to New Mexico.
Don Antonio Olivares
minor
Also known as Antonio Olivares, Olivares, Don Antonio
A wealthy Spanish gentleman and friend of Bishop Latour.
Madame Olivares
minor
Also known as Olivares, Señora Olivares
The pious wife of Don Antonio Olivares.
Manuel Chavez
minor
Also known as Don Manuel Chavez, Chavez
A wealthy rancher and friend of the clergy in New Mexico.
Sada
minor
Also known as Old Sada
An old Mexican woman who shows great faith and devotion.
Brother Juan
minor
Also known as Juan
A simple and devoted lay brother at a mission.
Manuelito
minor
A young Navajo boy who becomes a friend to the priests.
Old Marino Lucero
minor
An elderly man who appears in the story of the miser priest.
Contento
minor
A faithful mule ridden by Father Vaillant on his journeys.
Padre Escolastico Herrera
minor
Also known as Padre Escolastico
A priest who serves in a remote parish in New Mexico.
Pablo
minor
A young man who assists at the mission of Ácoma.
Buck Scales
minor
Also known as Buck, Scales
A violent outlaw who terrorizes a remote settlement.
Boyd O'Reilly
minor
Also known as O'Reilly
An Irish priest who serves in the New Mexico territory.
Mother Philomène
minor
Also known as Mother, Mother Superior Philomène
The Mother Superior of the Sisters of Loretto in Santa Fe.
Señorita Inez
minor
Also known as Inez, Mademoiselle Inez
A young woman who becomes a nun under Mother Philomène.
Blanchet
minor
A French priest who corresponds with Bishop Latour.
Angelica
minor
A young girl who appears in the mission at Ácoma.
Fructosa
minor
A woman who appears in the story of the Ácoma mission.
Ramón Armajillo
minor
Also known as Ramón
A young man who assists the priests on their travels.
Benito
minor
A Native American boy who serves at the mission.
Santiago
minor
A young man who appears in the Navajo country.
M. Molny
minor
Also known as Molny, young Molny
A young French priest who travels to New Mexico.
Salvatore
minor
An Italian priest who serves in the diocese.
García María de Allande
minor
Also known as de Allande, María de Allande
A Spanish nobleman who corresponds with Bishop Latour.
Bishop Ferrand
minor
Also known as Father Ferrand
A French bishop who mentors the young Latour.
Clara
minor
A woman who appears in the story of the Olivares family.
Tranquilino
minor
A Native American man who assists at the mission.
Monsignor Mazzucchi
minor
Also known as Mazzucchi
A Vatican official who corresponds with Bishop Latour.
Conçeptión Gonzales
minor
Also known as Conçeptión
A woman who appears in the Santa Fe community.
Rosa
minor
Also known as old Rosa
An old woman who appears in the story of the miser priest.
Zeb Orchard
minor
Also known as Orchard
An American trader who helps the priests on their journeys.
Sabino
minor
A Native American man who guides the priests.
St. Vrain
minor
A trader and friend of Kit Carson in New Mexico.
Juan Diego
minor
Also known as Juan
A Native American man who appears in the story of the bell.
Señora Gonzales
minor
A woman who appears in the Santa Fe community.
Mrs. Smith
minor
An American woman who appears in the story.
Marius
minor
A French priest who serves in the diocese.
Father Revardy
minor
A priest who serves in the New Mexico territory.
Pedro
minor
A young man who appears in the story of the Ácoma mission.
Josepha
minor
A woman who appears in the story of the Ácoma mission.
Jesus de Baca
minor
A man who appears in the story of the bell.
Fray Juan Ramirez
minor
Also known as Fray Ramirez
A historical friar mentioned in the story of Ácoma.
Father Ramirez
minor
Also known as old Father Ramirez
An elderly priest who serves in the diocese.
