Sada An elderly Catholic slave of the Protestant Smith family. She escapes one evening to pray at Latour's church and, consequently, reinvigorates his faith.
Kit Carson A frontiersman admired for his marksmanship, he is nonetheless a ruthless administrator of the U.S. government's policies of removing the Navajos from their land. His actions against the Indians deeply disturb Latour, although Carson's compassionate side is also depicted.
Mrs. Kit Carson A Mexican woman with no education but great intelligence. She advises Latour on matters concerning Padres Lucerno and Martinez.
Don Antonio Olivares A wealthy landowner and patron of Father Latour's Santa Fe cathedral. He dies before bequeathing the monies he's promised Latour.
Dona Isabella Olivares A beautiful and vain woman and widow of Don Olivares. Her vanity at disclosing her true age nearly results in her brothers-in-law attempting to challenge her husband's will.
Inez Olivares The daughter of Dona Isabella and, perhaps, Don Olivares. She is plain but sings beautifully and is a devout Catholic who teaches singing in a convent and sings in the cathedral choir in New Orleans.
Pablo A Mexican servant of the Olivares household who gossips speculate is a lover of Dona Isabella.
Don Manuel Chavez The lone survivor of an Indian massacre, Chavez prides himself on his Castilian heritage and marksmanship with a bow and arrow. He is jealous of Kit Carson's fame as an Indian fighter. As a young man, he hunted Indians for sport.
Father Taladrid A Spanish priest brought by Latour from Rome to replace Padre Martinez.
Philomene Vaillant's younger sister, a Mother Superior at a convent in Puy-de-Dome. She and the nuns in the convent make ornate vestments for Vaillant.
Manuel Lujon A wealthy Mexican rancher who gives Vaillant two mules. He is also a frequent poker partner for Padre Martinez.
Benito The widower who lives at Aqua Secreta.
Padre Escolastico Herrara A priest who returns from a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Guadalupe in Mexico. He tells Latour of the miracle of Guadalupe witnessed by Juan Diego.
Garcia Maria de Allande, Father Ferrand, the Venetian and the Frenchman The four priests in the novel's prologue set in Rome. Allande is the Spanish host and Ferrand is the American Bishop. They decide that Latour will be elevated to Bishop of New Mexico.
Bernard Ducrot A young priest who becomes like a son to Latour. He takes care of Latour in his declining years.
Eusabio A proud Navajo leader, admired for his strength and intelligence, who befriends Latour.
Manuelito Leader of the Navajos who attempts to enlist Latour's intercession on the tribe's behalf to the U.S. government.
M. Molny The French architect who builds the Santa Fe cathedral and who visits the Navajo country with Latour.
Father Revardy A French priest who assist Vaillant for twenty years. Although dying himself, he hurries to Denver to attend Vaillant's funeral.
Boyd O'Reilly A young Irish lawyer from Boston who manages the Olivares' affairs and tries to get Mrs. Olivares to admit her age but has no success until he enlists the aid of Latour and Vaillant.
