The Brave Twelve Who Sailed to Mexico!

Long, long ago, twelve very special men called Franciscans decided to go on a super important journey. They sailed all the way from a place called Spain to a land called New Spain, which is now Mexico! They arrived in 1524, a time when things were very different.

Their mission was to share their beliefs with the people who already lived there. It was a brave trip, like sailing to a new continent today!

These twelve men were like a special team, led by a man named Fray Martín de Valencia. Some of them were like teachers, and others were like helpers. One of the most famous was named Toribio de Benavente, but he had a nickname, Motolinia! He wrote down lots of cool things about how people lived and what it was like to share new ideas. It’s like he was a reporter for history!

The people in charge in Spain wanted the people in New Spain to learn about their religion. So, they asked these twelve brave Franciscans to go and teach them. It was a big job, and even though there were only twelve of them, it was the start of many more people coming to share their ideas. They wanted to make sure everyone learned about their special stories and traditions.

When the Twelve Apostles arrived, they met people who had their own amazing cultures and ways of life. This journey was a very important moment because it marked the beginning of many changes in Mexico. It was like the start of a new chapter in a giant storybook, where different cultures met and shared new things. Their arrival helped shape Mexico into the country it is today!