In the 1540s, Franciscan missionaries tried to teach basic Christian rituals by using pictures that somewhat resembled the glyphs 

in pre-Columbian codices, hoping to appeal to the Mexica's respect for the power of ancient texts. 

Known as Testerian manuscripts, these catechisms were read from left to right across two facing pages and then back from right to 

left on the next line, and so on. This catechism illustrates the prayer "Salve Regina." The words below the pictures are in the 

Otomi language. 

Begin with the title, "La Salve Regina," at the far left of the second line: 

Hail to the Queen who reigns above 
Mother of clemency and love!
Hail, thou our hope, life, sweetness! We
Eve's banished children cry to thee.
We, from this wretched vale of tears
Send sighs and groans unto thy ears;
Oh then, sweet advocate, bestow
A pitying look upon us below!
After this exile let us see
Our blessed Jesus, born of thee.
O Merciful
O pious Maid
O gracious Mary, lend thy aid.