Columbus had found people who were not Christians, and now his main task was to convert them.

                For the natives of this land who "craved no pleasures except those that come freely from nature and sought no wealth but what the sun gave them" every thing could have been lost in the process if colonization. A world of nature could have been turned into a monster. Fortunately the idea of Christian Education was firm in Columbus’ mind. He hoped in our Lord that all those Indians would become Christians. For this reason he asked for and obtained from the king a religious priest. With the authority of the Pope, this priest became the first Apostolic Delegate of the new world. His name was Friar Bernard Boyl of the Minims. Thus a priest walked with the explorer, a missionary traveled side by side with the colonizer.

                Bernard Boyl was a scholar of keen intelligence and great culture. His friendship with the king and his profound religious piety made him the obvious choice to represent the Catholic religion in the new world. He had been a skillful ambassador in political matters and was now chosen to divulge Christianity among pagans. He was sent "to work so that the inhabitants of said islands be converted to our Catholic faith." He had full authority on spiritual matters. The faculties of a bishop were granted to him so that a real liaison could be established between the two worlds.

                After his conversion to a more penitent life he was content to spend his days in "our little cave" rather than in the place of the king. But history had reserved for him a place on top of the world. Like a light on a lampstand to give light to people in darkness.

                The Catholic Rulers of Spain notified the Roman Pontiff of their decision to send Father Boyl to the newly discovered land, and asked for his approval by an official declaration (Bull). The letter, sent by ambassador on June 7^th, 1493, read:

                "We shall send Friar Bernard Boyl of the Order of the Minim Hermit Fathers of Brother Francis of Paola and Vicar General of said Brother Francis (in Spain), to some islands of non-believers so that he may convert them with the help of divine assistance. He is a professed member of the same Order and an ordained priest."

                The Pope answered wit a leter – "Piis fidelium" dated June 25^th of the same year. It was addressed to "our beloved son", Bernard Boyl, Friar of the Order of Minims, Vicar of said Order in the States of Spain."

                When King Ferdinand wrote to the Pope and asked him to send Boyl as a Papal delegate to the newly discovered world, he also asked him to grant Boyl the faculties of a bishop, since it would be very hard if not impossible to communicate with the fatherland or Rome itself. Thw king also asked the Pope that Friar Boyl be dispensed from the vow of the Minims which forbids them to eat meat, since he was going to face the unknown and very probably life would be much different there. This is the best proof that Friar Bernard Boyl was a professed member of the Order of the Minim Fathers founded by St. Francis of Paola, for this dispensation would be asked only for the Minims since they alone have this specific fourth vow of perpetual abstinence from all meats and derivatives.

                All the requests were granted by Pope Alexander VI with a Pontifical Bull dated in Rome June 25, 1493.

                The Pope seemed to understand the importance of the mission and the unique occasion given the Church to spread the Gospel across the ocean. His concern is clearly expressed in the many detailed instructions he gave Boyl as his delegate to the new world.

                "We willingly grant what the faithful, above all, the Catholic kings and princes ask for the propagation of the faith, the increase of divine worship and the welfare of souls"

                "We thought of sending you to those places so that you might preach and sow the Word of God. You will teach and instruct them how to walk in the commandments of the Lord."

                "We hope you faithfully and diligently execute what we commit to you. You, who are a priest, will go to said land and islands together with some associates of your Order or some others, whom you or the king will select."

                "You do not need any permission from your superior or any others in this matter. You may stay there as long as you want. You yourself or any other capable priest or priests, whether they are diocesan or belong to a religious Order, will preach, sow the Word of God, and will convert to the Catholic faith those inhabitants or residents. You will baptize and instruct them in our faith and administer them other sacraments whenever necessary. You may also hear their confession; or you may appoint another priest or priests, whether secular or religious."

                "Carefully having heard their confessions, you may absolve them of any crimes, wrong doings and murders, even though these sins were such as to require consultation with the Apostolic Secretary. You will impose on them a fitting penance."

                "We grant you permission to build churches, chapels, monasteries, religious houses of any Order, whether for men or women, devout places with steeples, bells, cloisters, dormitories, refectories and all other required necessities, as well as houses of studies. You may also bless the churches, and, whenever they or the cemeteries happen to be violated by bloodshed or other crimes, you may reinstate them with the holy water blessed beforehand by Catholic priest as is customary."

                "You may also eat freely and legally meats and other foods forbidden you (by the rule of your Order) though only in time of necessity. We grant you with our Apostolic authority and the knowledge of the value of this document, to bear, to execute and dispense everything else and whatever is necessary in whatever way you see fit."

                "Furthermore, each and all the faithful of both sexes may choose their own confessor, a capable one, secular or regular priest, who any absolve each and all of them of any crimes or felonies they have committed, even those reserved to the Holy See, following the oral policy (of the Church). Thus, they may go to said land and islands more willingly for more spiritual freedom."