(left) The Apse which includes the high altar, chancel and altar rail.
By Danielle Crounse
San Xavier Mission is just seven miles south of Tucson, and is easy to locate.
To get there, take
Interstate 10 to Interstate 19 South and exit at the sign directing you
to Mission San Xavier del Bac. You can see the bright white Mission from
the highway. Admission is free.
Catholic services are still held at San Xavier: daily at 8:30
a.m. and Sunday at 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There
are no registered members of the parish, visitors and people from
neighboring Tucson often pack the Mission on Sunday mornings.
Today San Xavier has more than a church to visit. A museum
including many artifacts of the church is attached. There you will also
see old gowns, books, dishes, etc. that were once used at the church.
There are also several displays including maps of the surrounding area,
historic photographs and explanations of the traditions of San Xavier.
A gift shop where southwestern goods are sold is also attached to the church.
San Xavier is under continual restoration. Decades of dirt and
soot from devotional candles lit inside the church lead to a thick, dark
build-up on the walls and statues.
Therefore, a move to
preserve the beauty of the church began and cleaning of the soot is done
on a regular basis. The exterior of the church is whitewashed as needed
to keep its bright white appearance. Donations are always accepted for
restoration.
Tips when visiting San Xavier del Bac:
1. If visiting
during the summer months, dress cool, as it gets hot and stuffy inside
the church. (Visiting the church in the warmer months of the summer
should make for smaller crowds than the more comfortable winter months.)
2. When you enter the church you may choose to sit in the pews and listen to a tape of the verbal history of San Xavier.
3. Be sure to
visit one of the many Tohono Oodam food stands surrounding San Xavier.
Sample the Indian frybread, which is a thick dough that is formed into a
round disk and dropped in hot oil and comes out as a crispy, bubbly
bread. The bread is topped with your choice of red chile, beans, or the
sweeter options like cinnamon, powdered sugar, or honey.
4. Also visit
the Indian craft mall directly across the street from San Xavier where
Indian jewlery, baskets and blankets are featured.
(left) The Apse which includes the high altar, chancel and altar rail.