But Time and Chance: The Story of Padre Martinez of Taos, 1793-1867

Angelico Chavez

Sunstone Press, 1981 - Biography & Autobiography - 173 pages

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong . . . but time and chance happenethto them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11 With these words, the epitaph Padre Martinez chose for himself, the reader is drawn into a stirring and provocative biography recounted by a master storyteller. Fray Angelico Chavez, articulate and well-versed in New Mexicana, vividly records the life of the controversial Padre of Taos so that the reader gains full measure of his surroundings and of the times. Martinez was continually at the forefront of the public and political forums . . . a master of jurisprudence and canon law . . . a champion of the underdog. With the advent of Bishop Lamy, public attention became focused on these two dynamic personalities. Their philosophic differences ultimately led to Martinez' suspension and excommunication. Chavez was a curious and indefatigable researcher and he used these talents well while delving into the facts and legends surrounding Padre Martinez most poignant and colorful life-drama . . . a personality to be reckoned with, whether as hero or villain, or both. Readers will, at once, share with Chavez his absorption in this man and, also wonder . . . how such a phenomenon could have sprouted and bloomed under the most adverse circumstances of time and place.

Contents

• The Old Dispensation: 11
• 1 Genesis of a Gifted Soul: 13
• 2 Precocious Lad of Abiquiú: 17
• 3 The Young Presbítero: 20
• 4 Padre of Taos at Last: 27
• 5 Penitentes and Paternity: 35
• 6 Father Also of Padres: 41
• 7 Penitentes Again and a Press: 45
• 8 War of the Chimayoses: 51
• 9 Wars Results a New Decade: 60
• 10A Dirtier War of Politics: 66
• 11 The Padre and the Americanos: 71
• 121846 The United States: 78
• A New Testament: 91
• 13 A Friendly French Bishop: 92
• 14Grey Eminence of Taos: 101
• 15 The Seal of Confession: 108
• 16 Still the Amicus Curiae: 114
• 17 Back to the Public Forum: 122
• 18 Lamy versus Martínez: 129
• 19 Man of La Mancha: 135
• 20 Schism and Excommunication?: 142
• 21 Last Gasps an Old Press Again: 151
• Death and a Testament: 157
• Notes: 161
• Bibliography: 171
• About the Author: 175

Popular passages

Page 3 - I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill ; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Bibliographic information

• Title: But Time and Chance: The Story of Padre Martinez of Taos, 1793-1867
• Author: Angelico Chavez
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Sunstone Press, 1981
• ISBN: 0913270954, 9780913270950
• Length: 173 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Hispanic & Latino; Biography & Autobiography / Historical; Biography & Autobiography / Religious