Author Description

Beginning in the sixteenth century and continuing for over 100 years, Spanish Franciscans sustained a chain of missions throughout northern Florida. With the mission of Saint Augustine as the spiritual anchor, the Catholic faith penetrated forest and glade and found a home in the hearts of the Potano Indians, a missionary quest termed by Florida historian Michael V. Gannon a great civilizing work of the human spirit. Cacique is the story of the Potano chieftains and their relationship with the Franciscan missionaries, the first among them Father Tomas Sanchez, whose character is based upon Father Martin Prieto, a 17th century Franciscan missionary to the Potano people. With inner conviction and indefatigable energy, this young inexperienced Franciscan priest brought the Gospel of the Lord and the sacraments of the Church to a people he came to love as his own family, a people who reciprocated that love. Bishop Robert J. Baker is Bishop of Charleston, South Carolina and Tony Sands is a writer and film maker from California.