1. Religious Services:
- The day would begin with prayers and a morning mass.
- Religious ceremonies, such as processions and novenas, were frequently held.
- The mission chapel was the central location for religious instruction, baptisms, marriages, and other sacraments.
2. Work:
- Native American converts (neophytes) were taught various skills and crafts essential to mission life.
- Men were engaged in agricultural labor, construction, carpentry, blacksmithing, and other trades.
- Women were responsible for domestic tasks such as cooking, weaving, making clothing, and caring for the mission's children and elderly.
3. Education:
- The mission provided basic education to Native American children.
- Friars taught reading, writing, arithmetic, and religious doctrines to the mission community.
4. Daily Meals:
- Meals were simple and consisted of locally grown produce, such as corn, beans, squash, and fruit.
- Meat, usually beef or pork, was reserved for special occasions or when available.
5. Social Interactions:
- Mission life involved a sense of community.
- Native Americans and Spanish settlers interacted and shared cultural traditions.
- Social gatherings, such as feasts and dances, were important for maintaining social harmony within the mission community.
6. Recreation:
- Native Americans engaged in traditional games, sports, and leisure activities after their daily tasks were completed.
- Music, singing, and storytelling were part of the mission's cultural life.
7. Evening Prayers:
- The day would end with evening prayers and a final mass.
- The mission bell would toll to signal the start and end of the day's activities.
It's important to note that daily life at the Carmel Mission could vary depending on specific periods, the leadership of the resident friars, and any external events that influenced mission life.
