St. Xavier del Bac Catholic Church. (White Dove In Desert) — Attraction in San Xavier District

My wife and I are history fanatics and enjoy every kind of historical, geographic, ethnic and cultural opportunity to learn and appreciate from it… and La Misión San José de Tumacácori is a perfect example of it. The San Cayetano del Tumacácori, originally started by Jesuits on or about 1691 near the beautiful area of the Santa Cruz River in Arizona! Today it still stands, after various iterations, restorations, and maintenance is a gorgeous Spanish Colonial Church. After stopping into the small but very illustrative Visitor Center one takes a brief walk over to the Church which is best to walk the surrounding gorgeous Courtyard enjoying its implied tranquility. The Mission grounds surrounding the Church offer a spectacle of history with its open spaces, work fields, restored cemetery, orchards and mortuary. The craftsmanship of the restorers has bee simply magnificent. Once inside you find yourself back in time. Between the hard surfaces, the cramped and confining feel, the rustic appearance, the lack of running water and the indentations for wall altars and its hollow niches – it is amazing. The Misión’s interior is a wide yet extremely long dark stone arched tall hallway. You immediately feel the grandeur of its time, sensing the prayers secreted and many souls that made their way through the hallowed remnants, yet you’ll feel the peace and tranquility in the surrounds. As one ponders the history of the southwest with its indigenous origins, geographic variances, the majesty of space to where we are today, La Misión San José de Tumacácori is a fascinating, intriguing, educational as well inspiring experience. This is a must stop as you mosey down Highway I-19...

On my first visit several years ago, I was overwhelmed and overjoyed by the architectural beauty and spiritual energy of the church. However, I was unable to watch the people lift Saint Francis’ head over and over. It bothered me so much I began to experience unrelenting neck pain. I called The Mission to tell them how I’m unable to visit again because I cannot bear to see Saint Francis handled in such a manner. It was probably a coincidence that soon after he was protected by a glass encasement. My neck pain has completely disappeared. My empathy manifested to physical pain.

Ask and you shall receive.

On another visit I was troubled by the trash around the church and all over the grotto. I began to clean unable to walk by without taking action. However, the grounds of the church and the grotto is Reservation Land. I needed to ask permission by the tribe which I did not. Please accept my apology for not asking permission first. On my return visit, the grounds were much cleaner.

Ask and you shall receive.

There was an incident of misunderstanding that left me feeling judged and unworthy. I spoke with someone at the gift shop who had explained to me the vendors do not represent the church and to take lightly what had happened and the church welcomes me.

When there is misunderstanding ask for clarity.

My best friend of 9 years recently passed away. I lit a candle for him outdoors under the crucifix. One week later, one candle was left burning. It was the candle for Hector. I asked for a sign to tell me he’s returned home.

Ask and you shall receive.

Thank you to the Priest (not Father Ponchie) for a wonderful service on...

St Francis de Xavier Catholic Church or as known as The White Dove in Desert is a located in the Indian reservation of Tohono-O'odham-Nation. A small church but outstanding in the distance for its color is gold and surrounded by the dominant white color. This is the oldest Catholic Mission in the United States.

This area is located in the desert and in the center of the reservation area as well, but they have modern building such as school, fire dept, office, and modern housing. Please do not expect to see the TeePee or Indian tents there, ha ha. Besides as a center of Roman Catholic church, this church becomes a touristic destination as well.

Then you may see a lot of local Indian tribe people there. They are so simple and humble even though most of their body look much bigger, taller and stronger than me but they were so nice to all of the visitors. Some of them sell the traditional Indian foods but the popular one is fry bread, you can eat them with the sugar powder topping, jam, butter or cinnamon powder or mix some of the toppings. All you can see there is a dry land with a lot of cactus trees and sand, so you can imagine how hot being there. But when you enter the church or go to the back area where people burn the candle for praying to the mother Mary, you will fill comfortable, and cool inside the room and inside your heart.

Once you are finished with the visit, with the pray in the Church or make a short tour around the area. Please drop by at the souvenirs shop behind the church. There are a lot of souvenirs, books, T-shirt, bags and so on. I talked to the lady who keeps the shop and took...