| The state of Arizona has a beautiful and colorful past | | | | When he was in his middle teenage years, he got |
| that can be witnessed through its historic landmarks. | | | | seriously ill. While he was sick, he made a promise to |
| Among these magnificent landmarks are the Missions. | | | | himself that if he survived the illness, he would become |
| What are missions? Missions are structures built by the | | | | a missionary. After he recovered, he fulfilled his vow |
| first Spanish missionaries or priests to come in the | | | | and became a priest. He was then assigned to help |
| area. They housed the Spanish missionaries who | | | | spread Christianity in Mexico in the year 1683. He |
| came to spread Christianity in the Americas, and are | | | | started building missions across Pimeria Alta from 1687 |
| about two or three centuries old. | | | | until his death at Sonora in 1711. |
| How did these missions came about? Well, centuries | | | | One of the oldest remaining missions in Arizona today |
| ago, Spanish priests, particularly a Catholic priest | | | | is San Xavier del Bac Mission. It is fondly called by |
| named Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, established | | | | some as the "White Dove of the Desert" because of |
| more than twenty missions in the area called the | | | | its white facade. It was first built about 3 centuries ago |
| Pimeria Alta, which means the upper lands of the | | | | and it is still amazingly beautiful and functional. Even |
| Pimian Indians that is now known as Southern Arizona | | | | today, it is still used as a church. Years later, San |
| U.S.A and Northern Sonora, Mexico. Unfortunately, due | | | | José de Tumacácori and Los Santos |
| to several factors, only four of those structures have | | | | Angeles de Guevavi were both built in 1691 while San |
| been left intact and these are the San Xavier del Bac | | | | Cayetano de Calabazas was built in 1756. |
| Mission, San José de Tumacácori, San | | | | Where specifically can these missions be found in |
| Cayetano de Calabazas, and Los Santos Angeles de | | | | Arizona? San Xavier del Bac Mission can be found |
| Guevavi. | | | | near the city of Tucson. It is a little over 8 miles from |
| Who was Father Eusebio Francisco Kino? Father Kino | | | | the city. The three other missions can all be found in |
| was born in a small village in Segno, Italy on the 10th of | | | | the Tumacácori National Historical Park in |
| August in the year 1645. Actually, his parents named | | | | Santa Cruz Valley. The park is also near Tucson and |
| him Eusebio Francesco Chini, which was later changed | | | | is quite a popular tourist spot. All four Arizona missions |
| to its German version Eusebio Francisco Kino. This | | | | are quite popular because of their sheer beauty and |
| change might be because he studied in Austria, a | | | | historic significance. Hundreds of both devotees and |
| country in which German is the national language. He | | | | the "simply curious" sort visit these magnificent historic |
| belonged to a rich family and was sent to a Jesuit | | | | places every day. |
| school and later on to Hala, near the German border. | | | | |