A mission lasted from 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the number of people, and were conducted through the winter months, when there was less farm work to do. The first order of business was to examine all the people in catechism, starting with the children - who had to memorize the entire cate¬chism and all the prayers. The same went for adults, even for those who couldn't read or write. Meanwhile, there were confessions, Communions, Masses, since all the people of the neighborhood gathered daily from early morning to late at night - some sleeping in or around the mission house. There were Baptisms, Confirmations, wedding and visiting the sick and dying with the last sacraments. They enrolled children and adults in various sodalities and preached and taught and exhorted in daily sermons.
Most of the people were poor and lived in straw houses with dirty floors, as did the missionaries. The churches were the same. These mission trips were usually very difficult and quite dangerous. There was always the chance of being recognized or being betrayed, depending on the good or bad will of the local officials and mandarins. The trips had t be made yearly through rain, snow or ice, sometimes a blaz ing sun, to each mission station. Soon Fr. Perboyre had to make these trips by himself, accompanied by a catechist or Catholic guide. His health remained quite strong except for one 3 month period of sickness, when he almost died.
Most of the people were poor and lived in straw houses with dirty floors, as did the missionaries. The churches were the same. These mission trips were usually very difficult and quite dangerous. There was always the chance of being recognized or being betrayed, depending on the good or bad will of the local officials and mandarins. The trips had t be made yearly through rain, snow or ice, sometimes a blaz ing sun, to each mission station. Soon Fr. Perboyre had to make these trips by himself, accompanied by a catechist or Catholic guide. His health remained quite strong except for one 3 month period of sickness, when he almost died.
