Who Is Father Gabriel In The Mission

Rodrigo Mendoza, one of the main characters in the film, The Mission, was at first, a mercenary and slave trader. After finding his significant other in bed with his own brother, Rodrigo is challenged to a duel by his brother. The tragic outcome of this duel sends Rodrigo down a challenging path of despair, depression, and ultimately redemption. Father Gabriel, a Jesuit priest, is the other main character. Unlike Rodrigo, Father Gabriel is a "Christ-like," peaceful, loving and compassionate man. Father Gabriel first confronts Rodrigo in the Guarani village as he is attempting to capture the Guaraní for slave trade. It appeared as though Rodrigo’s conscience was challenged by Father Gabriel during this initial encounter in the Guarani …show more content…
He finally finds peace among the people he once enslaved for profit. Rodrigo asks Father Gabriel if he could join the priesthood to further serve God and the Guarani people. “In worship an increased power steals its way into the heart sanctuary, an increased compassion grows in the soul. To worship is to change.” (Foster, 1978, p. 173) The Jesuit priests and the Guarani were ordered to abandon the Mission; the Jesuits to return to their homeland and the Guarani to their native way of life. Father Gabriel and the other Jesuit priests disobey the order of the “church” to abandon the Mission and the Guarani. The difference lies in the manner in which the priests attempt to protect the Guarani people. Father Gabriel chose love and peaceful disobedience. Rodrigo and the other Jesuit priests along with several Guarani chose might and power to defend the Mission.
Rodrigo attempted to have Father Gabriel’s blessing on his “mission” to save the Guarani. Father Gabriel rigidly detested their choice of war over love. “What do you want, captain, an honorable death? If you die with blood on your hands, you betray everything we’ve done…If you’re right, you’ll have God’s blessing. If you’re wrong, my blessing won’t mean anything.” (Joffé,