Mission Xavier Del Bac....White Dove of the Desert

Before we left the Tucson area we made a top at the White Dove of the Desert - Mission Xavier Del Bac. San Xavier Mission was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church's interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. Visitors can step back in time and enter an authentic 18th Century space. The church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners. Catholic mass are still performed at the mission. There is no admission charge to visit Mission San Xavier however donations are recommended. Some 200,000 visitors come each year from all over the world.

White Dove of the Desert

Front view

Entering the Mission

The main ceiling looking up

Joe Begay

 

After we viewed the Mission, we walked over to the Mission shops where there were some vendors. We walked up to one booth where we met Joe Begay. He was selling jewelry that he had made. He gathers stones, polishes them and also does some silversmith work. He had earrings, bracelets and rings or sale. As we looked at his wares, he brought out a book with a number of photos of him. We found out that he was also an actor and had played rolls in Dancing with Wolves, Tin Cup and in his younger days he was an extra on Little House on the Prairie. Joe is a native Navajo Indian but had parts where he was cast as a Mexican. His career has span decades and he still has his hands in acting now. Glenda bought a pair of earrings and we enjoyed our time talking to Joe. If you're in the Tucson area a visit to the Mission is worth the drive.