# Fray Felipe — The Mark of Zorro character guide

> Fray Felipe in The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCulley.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Felipe, old Fray Felipe, Fray

**First appearance:** 0002-iii-se-or-zorro-pays-a-visit

## Snapshot

A Franciscan friar whose righteous fury at Spanish tyranny makes him Zorro's most trusted ally, hiding fugitives behind his bales of hides.

## Who they are

Fray Felipe is a Franciscan whose hacienda becomes a quiet waystation for the persecuted, and whose tongue refuses to soften for any soldier. He rails against the politicians and men who rob honest colonists of their just dues, wishing aloud he were not a fray so he might ride and punish the wicked himself. That reckless honesty makes him both a moral anchor for Zorro's cause and a man constantly one search away from the carcel.

## Relationships

### [Sergeant Pedro Gonzales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/sergeant_pedro_gonzales)

_friendship_

Fray Felipe is a kind priest who often mediates or provides comic relief in his interactions with the bumbling sergeant.

### [Don Diego Vega](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/don_diego_vega)

_friendship_

Don Diego confides in Fray Felipe, who knows his secret and supports his double life as Zorro.

### [Sergeant Pedro Gonzales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/sergeant_pedro_gonzales)

_friendship_

Fray Felipe is a kind priest who often mediates or provides comic relief in his interactions with the bumbling sergeant.

### [Sergeant Pedro Gonzales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/sergeant_pedro_gonzales)

_friendship_

Fray Felipe is a kind priest who often mediates or provides comic relief in his interactions with the bumbling sergeant.

### [Don Diego Vega](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/don_diego_vega)

_friendship_

Don Diego confides in Fray Felipe, who knows his secret and supports his double life as Zorro.

## In the story

### [The Chase That Failed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xvi-the-chase-that-failed)

In charge of the mission hacienda where the trail leads; his friendly disposition toward Zorro is noted.

### [Sergeant Gonzales Meets a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xvii-sergeant-gonzales-meets-a-friend)

Defends his house against the soldiers, boldly speaks truth to Gonzales, and reluctantly serves wine at Don Diego's request.

### [Don Diego Shows Interest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xx-don-diego-shows-interest)

Brought as a prisoner, forced to walk tied to soldiers' saddles, and sentenced to lashes for swindling and treason.

### [The Whipping](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxi-the-whipping)

Publicly whipped for striking a man; shows great fortitude, refusing to cry out; later laments the persecution of the missions and advises Don Diego on love.

### [Swift Punishment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxii-swift-punishment)

The old friar who was unjustly whipped; his suffering motivates Zorro's punishment of the dealer.

### [XXIII: More Punishment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxiii-more-punishment)

Referenced as the innocent man who was unjustly whipped earlier.

### [XXIV: At the Hacienda of Don Alejandro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxiv-at-the-hacienda-of-don-alejandro)

Mentioned as having been whipped fifteen times after a mock trial, an event that disturbs Don Diego.

### [Close Quarters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxxii-close-quarters)

Zorro plans to leave Lolita in his care, trusting the friar's judgment.

### [Flight and Pursuit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxxiii-flight-and-pursuit)

Opens the door to Zorro and later to Gonzales, refuses to reveal Zorro's words, and denounces the sergeant's cruelty.

### [XXXIV: The Blood of the Pulidos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-blood-of-the-pulidos)

Attempts to protect Lolita, hesitates to swear falsely, and trips Gonzales to aid her escape.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters/fray_felipe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mark_of_zorro_se/characters