Father Latour is a 35-year-old French missionary appointed as the Bishop of New Mexico. He is an introverted and highly educated man who finds deep spiritual fulfillment in theological doctrine. While he often struggles in social situations, his intense dedication to his calling drives him to establish order and religious structure throughout his remote new territory.

Father Vaillant is a French priest who travels to New Mexico alongside Father Latour. Characterized by his short stature and bow-legged gait from a life on horseback, he presents a clear contrast to Latour through his highly social nature. He acts as an effective evangelizer who genuinely enjoys good food and community connections while maintaining strict religious devotion.

Jacinto is an Indigenous man from Pecos Pueblo who serves as Father Latour's trusted guide and translator. He possesses a calm temperament and extensive knowledge of the region's geography. Through regular conversations with the bishop, he shares Indigenous traditions and history that challenge the priest's European worldview.

Carson is a famous American frontiersman who holds significant influence in New Mexico society. Despite his renown as a trapper and military scout, he is mild-mannered and noticeably uncomfortable with his own fame. He actively intervenes to help vulnerable individuals across different communities.

Father Martínez is a corrupt priest who rules his Taos parishes with dictatorial authority. He openly opposes clerical celibacy and actively challenges the authority of both Rome and Father Latour. He uses his imposing physical presence to exploit his parishioners and consolidate personal wealth.

Father Gallegos is the social priest stationed in Albuquerque. He strongly prefers drinking and gambling over religious devotion. His conduct reflects the systemic corruption among the area's established clergy, as he largely ignores the remote Indigenous communities in his jurisdiction.

Don Antonio is a wealthy rancher descending from a prominent local family. He enjoys hosting large parties and maintains significant influence in Santa Fe society. As a devout Catholic, he eagerly pledges his resources to assist Father Latour with his ambitious cathedral project.

Doña Isabella is the refined, French-educated wife of Don Antonio. Born in New Orleans, she maintains a youthful appearance and exhibits a noticeable streak of vanity regarding her age. She provides valuable emotional support to the newly arrived French priests by conversing with them in their native language.

Magdalena is a young Mexican woman trapped in a brutal marriage. After courageously stepping forward to save the traveling priests from her violent husband, she seeks refuge with the church and eventually secures a safe domestic position working for the Carson family.

A terrifying criminal who lives along a lonely mountain road. He operates by habitually luring travelers into his home under the guise of hospitality before attacking them.

Manuel is a wealthy Mexican landowner who gladly hosts religious figures at his home. He is highly protective of his prized pair of white mules, which represent his status and pride.

Eusabio is an honest Navajo man widely respected by both Indigenous and Hispanic communities. He embodies a harmonious relationship with nature and provides Latour with a place for quiet reflection while mourning the loss of his own son.

Sada is an enslaved woman owned by a Protestant family who aggressively prevents her from practicing her Catholic faith. Her unyielding devotion to her religion deeply moves Father Latour during a chance nighttime encounter.

Father Lucero is a local priest who openly allies himself with the corrupt Father Martínez. Together, they form a splinter sect that actively challenges Father Latour's authority and rejects standard church doctrines.

Trinidad is a young acolyte residing in Father Martínez's chaotic household. Local rumors strongly suggest he is actually Martínez's biological son born out of wedlock.

Inez is the unmarried daughter of Don Antonio and Doña Isabella Olivera. Though not officially a nun, she lives a highly pious and dedicated life within her wealthy family's home.

Señora Carson is Kit Carson's Hispanic wife who lives with him in the multi-ethnic settlement of Taos. She is highly knowledgeable about local politics and advises Father Latour on managing the region's corrupt clergy.

Bernard is a young French seminarian who travels to New Mexico to learn from Father Latour. He acts as an eager student of the frontier's religious history and faithfully assists the bishop.

Philomène is Father Vaillant's sister who remains in France. She maintains a steady correspondence with her brother and provides him with practical support, such as sewing custom garments for his ecclesiastical duties.

Fray Baltazar is a historical figure who served as a corrupt priest at Acoma Pueblo in the early eighteenth century. He ruled the local residents with intense cruelty, forcing them to cultivate his personal gardens in the desert heat.