lately i have been observing different churches in the area.
overwhelmed by their beauty, ready to just lie down, rest in the praise given through structure.
after yesterday, however,  i couldn't help but scratch my head. these structures weren't only created, they were imposed. the catchuan people lived simply in the valley, when the spaniards came into to bring the 'good word.' i have been reading different testimonies from the spanish, that claim mother mary and saint james came down to help the spaniards defeat the enemy natives.

how am i supposed to feel about this?

all of the art, all of the beauty exists, because one group was forced into a certain belief system. catchuan people were required forced to speak spanish, were referred to as imbreeds.
where were the brothers the sisters of these monasteries/convents?

next week we are going to the convent, where there are currently 20 active nuns. i see them around town often, maybe a conversation soon. see how they shed light.