About | San Xavier Mission (original) (raw)

Also known as the ‘White Dove of the Desert,’ our active church is a sacred place of worship and community since 1692. Founded by Padre Eusebio Kino, our mission continues its work of faith, cultural heritage, and service to all. We invite you to explore our historic church, a beacon of devotion and Spanish colonial beauty in the Sonoran Desert.

About San Xavier

Also known as the ‘White Dove of the Desert,’ our active church is a sacred place of worship and community since 1692. Founded by Padre Eusebio Kino, our mission continues its work of faith, cultural heritage, and service to all. We invite you to explore our historic church, a beacon of devotion and Spanish colonial beauty in the Sonoran Desert.

Mission & Purpose

The San Xavier del Bac Mission was established in 1692 by Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino to serve the needs of the local community, the village of Wa:k (San Xavier District) on the Tohono O’odham reservation, and remains dedicated to their spiritual and communal needs today.

As a living church, we are honored to welcome worshippers and visitors alike to share in our rich history, faith, and tradition.

While the Mission is a place of pilgrimage for many, we prioritize sacraments such as marriages and baptisms for our local community, encouraging all others to celebrate these sacraments within their own parishes.

We invite everyone to attend Mass, feast days, and special celebrations, though please note that seating can be limited.

Guidelines for Use

To honor the sacred nature of the Mission:

Private Events: The church is not available for private rentals.

Media Use: The Mission cannot be used for commercial purposes, including advertising, film sets, or commercial photoshoots.

Drone Use: Drones are prohibited on the Mission grounds.

Please contact the pastor if you have questions regarding appropriate use of the Mission.

Saint Francis and Tradition of Prayer

Every day, visitors come to the Mission to pray for Saint Francis’s intercession, a tradition rooted in the history of Fr. Ignacio Joseph Ramirez y Arellano, who was renowned for his miraculous faith.

Many find solace and strength here, returning with stories of answered prayers and thanksgiving.

We have people from all over the country, and the world, wanting to have their special event here at the Mission, and sometimes that can be accommodated, but the policy of the Mission is to only do Marriages, Baptisms, and so forth for the local community.

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