Mission San Xavier del Bac in Tuscon Arizona – See San Xavier mission hours and mass times

There is no admission charge to visit Mission San Xavier. Some 200,000 visitors come each year from all over the world to view what is widely considered to be the finest example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States.

Everyday the Mission San Xavier del Bac has pilgrams, tourist and locals pray to Saint Francis for intersessionary pray to God. There are countless people who say that their prayers have been answered through the intersession of Saint Francis.

This tradition goes back to Father Ignacio Joseph Ramirez y Arellano who is believed to have had a miraculous state in death that was witnessed by people from all over the Tucson area. Those who believe come with needs, requests and thanksgiving for answered prayers.

The Mission San Xavier del Bac is 9 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona just off of Interstate 19. Take exit 92 (San Xavier Road) and follow signs to the Mission.

• Saturday Vigil: 5:30 pm
• Sunday: 8:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm – (Summer schedule: the Sunday masses will be 1 hour earlier June 1- Oct 1 )
• Daily: Monday – Friday: 6:30 am (in the Juan Diego chapel)

Tuesday – Friday: 8:30 am (in the Mission church)

Every Saturday: 4:00 – 5:00 pm (in the Juan Diego Chapel)

The Order of Friars Minor

The Spirit of St. Francis has been kept alive through the centuries by The Friars Minor, the followers of St. Clare and the Secular Franciscans. The First Order developed into several branches:
The Friars Minor (OFM), Friars Minor Conventual and the Friars Minor Capuchin. As vowed men in the Roman Catholic Church, they continue to live out the charism of Brother Francis who wanted his followers to be called “minor” together with those who occupied the lowest positions in society.

The Franciscan families are challenged to adapt themselves to a rapidly changing Church and world, while remaining true to the spirit of the founder. Like the original followers of Francis, the friars are called to be men of prayer involved in a variety of ministry.  Our charism is not to any specific task in the Church, but to BEING BROTHERS AMONG OURSELVES AND THE ENTIRE WORLD. True to their charism, the friars seek to respond to the call of the Church by their willingness to be Sent, to Serve and to Proclaim the gospel to all.

The Province of Saint Barbara

The Province of St. Barbara is a fraternity of 240 friars living, working and ministering in the western states of Arizona, California, Washington, and Oregon . They also have friars ministering to the peoples of Mexico, and the Holy Land.

They lead lives following the Gospel to experience God, to have access to holy people and places and to listen to brothers and sisters who will share with us their experience of the Gospel amid life’s joys and pains. They strive for mutual respect among all persons in this multicultural society with the courage to stand together against the destructive elements around Them. Central and key to their identity is their prayer life, both individually and communally, and their lifestyle of simplicity and solidarity with the poor

Following Mexican independence in 1821, San Xavier became part of Mexico. The last resident Franciscan of the 19th Century departed in 1837. With the Gadsden Purchase of 1854, the Mission joined the United States. In 1859 San Xavier became part of the Diocese of Santa Fe. In 1866 Tucson became an incipient diocese and regular services were held at the Mission once again.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet opened a school at the Mission in 1872. Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity now teach at the school and reside in the convent. To view the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity website http://fscc-calledtobe.org please select from the left menu on the History page. The Franciscans returned to the Mission in 1913. Recently, Mission San Xavier del Bac became a separate nonprofit entity. It remains a testament to the endurance of culture thoughout our history.

Timeline

• 1692 Father Kino visits the village of Wa:k
• 1700 Father Kino begins foundations on a church never built
• 1711 Father Kino dies in Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico
• 1756 Father Espinosa constructs the 1st church
• 1767 Jesuits are expelled from New Spain
• 1768 Spanish Franciscans take over the Mission
• 1783 Construction begins on the present church
• 1797 The Mission church is completed
• 1821 Spanish Franciscans leave
• 1846 Cooke’s Mormon battalion passes by the Mission
• 1854 Gadsden Purchase puts the Mission inside the United States
• 1859 Santa Fe diocese begins first repairs of the Mission
• 1887 Earthquake damages the Mission
• 1905 Bishop Granjon begins major repairs
• 1913 Franciscans return to the Mission
• 1939 Lightning strikes the West Tower
• 1953 Church facade is restored
• 1963 San Xavier becomes a National Historic Landmark
• 1978 Patronato San Xavier established to preserve the Mission
• 1989 Leaking walls force emergency restoration
• 1992 Conservators begin a 5-year rescue effort of the interior

Today the restoration continues when funds are available.