Places We Have Called Home In 2019
Home Is Where We Park It: UMOM New Day Centers, Phoenix
Nov 6, 2109
Temperature 82 Degrees
We Continue To Roll On
San Xavier Mission
Just another day in paradise. Yet, this morning was an unusual one, at least for the two of us. Can you believe we woke up to thunder, lightening and rain. It didn’t last long, it wasn’t a heavy rain, but in all the time we have been in Arizona this is the first time it has rained. Ok, I know it happens, but usually during the Monsoon season. Just saying.
Our team is down two. We have had some emergency medical issues. Thankfully, nothing really serious and all will recover in due time. Thank you Lord.
The rest of us continue to roll on applying paint here and there. The offices now Sunday School rooms have been finished. One apartment has been refurbished. We’re making good progress.
Time to take a tour of a fascinating and beautiful Mission Church that is located just south of Tucson. It is the
A National Historic Landmark, San Xavier Mission was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692.
The current church dates from the late 1700’s, when Southern Arizona was part of New Spain. In 1783, Franciscan missionary Fr. Juan Bautista Velderrain was able to begin construction on the present structure using money borrowed from a Sonoran rancher. He hired an architect, Ignacio Gaona, and a large workforce of O’odham (The Tohono Oʼodham are a Native American people of the Sonoran Desert, residing primarily in the U.S. state of Arizona and the Mexican state of Sonora) to create the present church. Widely considered to be the finest example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States, the Mission hosts some 200,000 visitors each year.
The shell, a symbol of pilgrimage after the patron saint of Spain, Santiago or James the Greater, is replicated all through the structure in window treatments, the sanctuary, the facade and other details within the interior.
Outside above the entrance doors.
Inside in the Choir Loft
The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church’s interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. It is a place where visitors can truly step back in time and enter an authentic 18th Century space.
More pictures of the interior of the church.
Pentecost.
The Last Supper.
A closer look, note the money bag in Judas hand and the Devil lurking off to the right side of the picture.
Mary taking care of baby Jesus.
The oldest statue in the church.
A statue of the first native American to become a saint.
Two gold lions guarding the front of the church.
That is just a small taste of the inside of this beautiful mission church. You simply need to see it for yourself to truly appreciate it.
An interesting note, on the entrance door, on the outside of the door, on the handle there is a replica of a snake. Why? Symbolizing how one is to shed the old and put on the new.
San Xavier is still actively run by Franciscans, and continues to serve the native community by which it was built. If you are ever in this area make it a point to visit the mission church and you will not be disappointed.
Time now to get ready for a new day on The Road of Retirement. I’m finishing this blog the day after, just could not keep my eyes open last night. But now, well there is another bucket of paint calling my name. So time to roll on!
Thanks for joining us again. We always appreciate your company and your comments.
These are the voyages of Graybeard and it’s two intrepid travelers. Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before
See you on down the road!
"On The Road of Retirement" 
What a beautiful Mission. We had seen a couple in California but they weren’t that ornate. You guys are really progressing. Be proud of what you’re doing.
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