Chavez, Angelico, 1910-1996

Chavez was a Franciscan friar and a prominent New Mexican historian and writer. He wrote 24 books and also cataloged the archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

Franciscian friar and writer, born at Wagon Mound, New Mexico, 1910.

Fray Angelico Chavez (1910-1996), born Manuel Ezequiel Chavez, was a native New Mexican Franciscan priest, historian, author, and artist who cataloged the archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

Angélico Chávez was born 1910 in Wagon Mound, New Mexico and died 1996 in Santa Fe. He was a Franciscan friar and a prominent New Mexican historian and writer. He wrote 24 books and also cataloged the archives of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

Fray Angélico Chavez. Part of the K. (Katherine) Wood Pictorial Collection PICT 000-596 (Box 1, Folder 6).

Fray Angélico Chavez was born on April 10, 1910 at Wagon Mound, New Mexico. He was the eldest of ten children born to Don Fabian Chavez and Do?a Nicholasa Roybal whose families have long ties to northern New Mexico. He was christened Manuel Ezequiel Chavez and spent most of his early life in Mora, New Mexico.

From early on Chavez was interested in the Franciscan way of life, he particularly wished to follow in the footsteps of the missionary workers. In 1924, at the age of fourteen, he entered the Franciscan Seminary (Cincinnati, Ohio) to begin his training. In 1929 he received his Franciscan habit and the name Fray Angélico (after a medieval Dominican painter) because of his artistic talent. After serving a very short novitiate period, he was enrolled in Duns Scotus College in Detroit. He was graduated in 1933 taking his solemn vows in the Franciscan Order. His theological training followed in the House of Theology (Olderburg, Indiana) and culminated in his ordination in St. Francis Cathedral (Santa Fe) in 1937. According to Phyllis Morales, he has the distinction of being the first native New Mexican ordained into the Franciscan Order.1

Because of his superior ability to write and excellent comprehension of theological matters, Chavez was urged by his superiors to further his studies by either attending Oxford University or advanced theological training in Rome. But, he was determined to return to New Mexico to do missionary work. His wish was granted and he was assigned to the village of Pe?a Blanca. His duties also led him to minister to surrounding communities as well. Cerrillos and the Indian pueblos of Santo Domingo, Cochiti, San Felipe and Jemez were a few in his care. Throughout those years he also toured the state in grueling preaching tours specifically aimed at the Spanish-speaking parishes where he was always welcome. All the while he was continuing with his writing and extensive research which greatly contributed to the history of this region. This creative talent within him remains a major influence through his life and certainly follows in the pattern of many other priests and monks. Fray Chavez served for over thirty years as a Franciscan priest in New Mexico retiring in 1972 from parish work to pursue some personal interests.

While he was the happiest ministering to the people of New Mexico, he was called upon to serve in the Army in both World War II (1943-1946) and the Korean War (1950-1952). He served with distinction and was honorably discharged with the rank of Major.

Fray Chavez has travelled extensively, specifically for research purposes. He holds honorary degrees from the University of New Mexico (1947 and 1974) and from the University of Albuquerque (1963). He has been recognized for his work in the arts and has served on many local and national organizations for the promotion of art and history.

After his retirement as the appointed archivist (1975-1982) for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe he continued to research and write.