CHAPTER XII.
SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA The third Mission of the series was founded in honor of San Antonio de Padua, July 14, 1771, by Serra, accompanied by Padres Pieras and Sitjar.
One solitary Indian heard the dedicatory mass, but Serra's enthusiasm knew no bounds.

He was assured that this "first fruit of the wilderness" would go forth and bring many of his companions to the priests.
Immediately after the mass he hastened to the Indian, lavished much attention on him, and gave him gifts.

That same day many other Indians came and clearly indicated a desire to stay with such pleasant company.
They brought pine-nuts and acorns, and the padres gave them in exchange strings of glass beads of various colors.
At once buildings were begun, in which work the Indians engaged with energy, and soon church and dwellings, surrounded by a palisade, were completed.

From the first the Indians manifested confidence in the padres, and the fifteen days that Padre Serra remained were days of intense joy and gladness at seeing the readiness of natives to associate with him and his brother priests.

Without delay they began to learn the language of the Indians, and when they had made sufficient progress they devoted much time to catechising them.