In the early years before the convenience of air travel, air mail and
telephones, life in Puerto Rico was primitive. “The first convents were simple
wooden houses with little or no electricity or refrigeration. Bathroom facilities
were primitive and usually out-of-doors. The tropical heat made life
uncomfortable much of the year for the Sisters, covered as they were from head
to toe in the Dominican habit. The Sisters persevered and studied diligently to
master the language and to teach English to children who knew only Spanish.
They worked as teachers on all levels of education. They also served as
catechists and pastoral workers, as ministers to the poor, elderly, the youth
and as family counselors.”
Catholic schools were being built in many sections of Puerto Rico just as
the number of churches and parishes grew.
“Santísimo Rosario School was founded on September 23, 1912 at 11 San
Rafael Street. In 1917 Puerto Ricans were given U.S. citizenship. The majority
of Puerto Ricans today self-identify as white and Spanish-speaking, 95 percent
spoke a language other than English at home. Of those speaking a language other
than English at home, 100 percent spoke Spanish and less than 0.5 percent spoke
some other language; 85 percent reported that they did not speak English “very
well.”(Census.) Contrary to popular
belief that the Amerindian population in Puerto Rico is nearly extinct, a
recent study indicated that between 52.6% and 84% of the population possess
some degree of Amerindian DNA in their maternal ancestry, usually in a
combination with other ancestries. In addition, these DNA studies show
Amerindian ancestry in addition to the Taíno.
