September 6: The Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria

Welcome to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Today is September 6th, and our story is The Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. On September 6th, 1492, three ships prepared to set sail from the harbor town of San Sebastian de la Gomera. For days, the Santa Clara, nicknamed the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria had rested in the Canary Islands port while their captains and crew completed repairs on the ships and restocked their supplies. A month earlier, under the command of the Genoan sailor Christopher Columbus, the three ships had departed Spain en route, they hoped, for China.

Columbus believed he could reach Asia by sailing west as well as east, and he made that claim to the crowned heads of Portugal, Venice, Genoa, England, and Spain. Most dismissed his plan. They shared his conviction that the journey was theoretically possible, but believed, rightly, that Columbus underestimated the westward distance between Europe and Asia.

But, after much persuading, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile decided the idea might have merit. In early 1492, they agreed to sponsor Columbus's expedition and, if he succeeded, reward him generously with titles, authority, and wealth. For most men, that would have been motivation enough. But Columbus's interests weren't entirely mercenary. The devoutly Catholic Columbus believed God wanted him to bring the gospel to foreign lands. Isabella shared his passion for evangelization, and, in sponsoring the voyage, believed she was fulfilling the Great Commission of Matthew 28, to make disciples of all nations.

That motivation sustained Columbus during the five long weeks that followed his fleet's September 6th departure from the Canary Islands. At the time, no European ship in living or recorded memory had sailed so far from land for so long, and Columbus expected the journey to be much shorter than it turned out to be. His men shared those expectations, and on October 10 came close to mutiny. Just two days later, when all seemed lost, they spotted an island on the horizon.

Columbus christened the island San Salvador, or Holy Savior, and the world was forever changed. Columbus's devotion to God and missionary intent shows that exploration is not merely physical, but spiritual. Reflect on a personal or spiritual goal you've hesitated to pursue. Take one bold step toward it today.

Thank you for listening to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Join us tomorrow, September 7th, for another story of faith and courage in America.