Servando Teresa de Mier

Fray José Servando Teresa de Mier Noriega y Guerra (October 18, 1765 – December 3, 1827) was a Catholic priest, preacher, and politician in New Spain. Known for his strong beliefs, he often faced trouble and was imprisoned several times. He also lived far from home, spending time in exile in places like Spain, France, and England.

Mier's speeches and writings shared his unique ideas about history and religion, supporting the idea of republicanism. He worked closely with Francisco Javier Mina during the Mexican War of Independence. Later, as a leader in Mexico's new government, he spoke against Agustín de Iturbide’s wish to rule as an emperor.

Today, Mier is remembered and honored for his important role in helping Mexico gain its independence. His actions and words made a lasting impact on the country’s history.

Education

Fray Servando Teresa de Mier was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, in what is now Mexico. When he was 16, he joined the Dominican Order in Mexico City. He studied philosophy and theology and became a priest. By the time he was 27, he had earned a doctorate and was known for his speeches.

The sermon

On December 12, 1794, during celebrations for the Virgin of Guadalupe, Fray Servando Teresa de Mier gave a sermon. He said that the apparitions of the Virgin of Guadalupe happened much earlier, 1750 years before, not in 1531. He believed the original painting was on the cloak of Saint Thomas the Apostle, who had shared his teachings in the Americas long before the Spanish arrived. He thought Juan Diego had found this painting again. This idea was surprising because the Virgin of Guadalupe was very important to many people in Mexico. Later, leaders like Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla used her story to stand against Spanish rule.

In exile

Fray Servando Teresa de Mier was sent away for 10 years to a place called Las Caldas del Besaya in Cantabria, Spain. He was also not allowed to teach, speak during services, or hear people's thoughts about the church. He lost his special title as a doctor too.

In 1796, he was allowed to share his side of the story with the Council of the Indies. But on his way back, he took the wrong path and was arrested again, this time kept in a Franciscan convent in Burgos. In 1801, he escaped and went to Bayonne, France. From there, he moved to Bordeaux and later to Paris. In Paris, he helped a wealthy man from Peru and opened a school to teach Spanish and translate a story called Atala by François-René de Chateaubriand.

While in Paris, he met many important people, including Lucas Alamán and Baron Alexander von Humboldt. In 1802, he left the Dominican Order and became a regular priest in Rome.

When he went back to Madrid, he was caught again for writing something that supported Mexico’s independence. He was sent to a place in Seville but escaped in 1804. Sadly, he was caught once more and spent three years in prison. Later, the Pope gave him a special job because he helped two people change their beliefs.

During the war between France and Spain, he served as a chaplain for soldiers from Valencia. He was at many battles and was once captured by French soldiers in Belchite but managed to escape. He then went to London, where he worked with José María Blanco on a newspaper called El Español, which supported independence movements in Latin America.

Expedition to New Spain

In London, Fray Servando met a revolutionary named Francisco Javier Mina. Mina convinced him to join an effort to help New Spain (now Mexico) become independent. They sailed to the United States on May 15, 1816, and arrived in Norfolk, Virginia. There, Mier became friends with Manuel Torres, an exile from New Granada (now Colombia), who helped organize the expedition.

The expedition to New Spain began in September but ended badly. Mier was captured by royal forces on June 13, 1817, near a place called Soto de la Marina. He was sent to a castle in San Carlos de Perote, then to prison, and finally to Havana in 1820, where he managed to escape once more.

In Philadelphia

After escaping, Mier returned to the United States in June 1821 and stayed for three months in Philadelphia at the home of Manuel Torres. Torres was now representing Colombia in the U.S., and Mier became friends with another activist, Vicente Rocafuerte, who would later become the president of Ecuador.

While in Philadelphia, Mier wrote several important works and got involved in a debate about a local church, St. Mary's Church. He supported a priest named William Hogan who had been criticized by the church leader Henry Conwell. Mier strongly defended Hogan in several writings, arguing for more local control over church matters. He eventually left the U.S. with a special travel document provided by Torres.

Return to independent Mexico

In February 1822, he returned to Mexico and was taken prisoner by Spanish forces but later released by the Mexican government. He became a member of the government and spoke out for a centralized republic.

He was elected to the government again and gave a famous speech on December 13, 1823, called Discurso de las profecias. He helped create the rules for Mexico's government and was invited to live in the president's home by Mexico's first president, Guadalupe Victoria.

Death and legacy

Fray Servando Teresa de Mier wrote a letter in 1797 about the Virgen de Guadalupe. He said that the Mexica people celebrated her appearance on September 8 using the Julian calendar, while the Spanish celebrated it on December 12.

Before he passed away, he invited his friends to a farewell party on November 16, 1827, where he spoke about his life and beliefs. He died on December 3, 1827, and was buried with honor in the church of Santo Domingo in Mexico City. His name is written in golden letters on the Wall of Honor at the Legislative Palace of San Lázaro, which now houses the Chamber of Deputies in Mexico City.

Writings

Fray Servando Teresa de Mier wrote many speeches, sermons, and letters about religion and politics. Some of his important works include:

• Cartas de un americano al español (Letters from an American to the Spaniard), from 1811 to 1813.
• Historia de la revolución de Nueva España (New Spain Revolution History), published in two volumes in London in 1813.
• Apología y relaciones de su vida bajo el título de Memorias (His life's apology and relations under memoirs title), first published in Madrid in 1924.
• The Memoirs of Fray Servando Teresa de Mier, published by Oxford University Press in New York in 1998.