The Great Western Pilgrimage - Part Six

Finally! The Missions! Every fourth-grader in California is required to write a report on one of the Missions. They see it as state history (which is completely true)...the history, however, is Catholic in origin...#1, during one of her snipes about the Godless people of the west coast, "Did you ever notice that all cities in your state were named after SAINTS...HELLO?...PEOPLE!!!" She gets it entirely from her mother.

Whether they see it as religious history or just history, what an amazing treasure it is for a state to have twenty-one of these pieces of the past. We began, as you know, with Mission San Diego de Alcala.

Oh, hang on a minute...first we have to have breakfast...and before we can break the fast, we needed to go to Mass, you know, to get our Mission started on the right foot. Our Lady of the Rosary was perfect...Marian-infused graces for the morning and right next door to a Farmer's Market in Little Italy. God is good.

The sign just made me laugh...

Simple. Beautiful.

Marian art on the ceiling :0)

What a delightful Mass. A few regulars (they knew where things were and what to do when), several nuns, and more than a few homeless people who came in to warm themselves during the cold morning (they too must be regulars...if not for their appearance, I wouldn't have even known they were there). It was pretty impressive, too, when an older woman who was walking to Communion laid a $50 bill on the pew next to a Little Sister of the Poor. I just love stuff like that. Total anonymity. Perfect.

We were starving at this point so, despite what I'm sure was his belief to the contrary, dh dropped a princely sum for some protein bars, hot cocoa, and a beautiful latte for his wife (all of course, completely vegan or faceless or whatever the term is these days). It was an interesting place for sure. No one seemed to notice the "no dog" signs but if there had been "no children" signs, I'm certain we would have been shown the exit. Welcome to California! It wouldn't be the last time we experienced doggie love and kid...not love.

kiwi crossing?

Seeing this many sea urchins this close was definitely cool...no, I didn't try them. I frown on raw seafood that a dog has just sniffed. I'm picky that way.

pretty, right?

Having had our fill of dogs and expensive eats (although we did get some super yummy snap peas!) we headed out...to Macy's...which was impossible to find. That, of course, was the work of the Holy Spirit because, in our wandering, we happened upon a planned parenthood in front of which stood a HUGE (by CA standards...I think there were 4 kids) family, holding vigil signs. I hadn't been able to locate any vigils that seemed to be active when I looked while trip planning and yet, here they were. Being that we were on a really tight schedule (stupid travel agent) and had appointments to make, I could only lower my window (so they could see all of us) and shout, "God bless you and thank you!" I know it would have been better if we could have all stood together and it was likely an opportunity missed but I also know that they were strengthened by just that small gesture. I know I am when I'm standing vigil with my little kids and someone says something nice.

We finally made it to Macy's. New clothes, perhaps a handbag? No, silly, we were in search of the 50% off second ticket coupons to use for our later excursion that day...stay tuned.

Finally, it was time...Mission #1, San Diego de Alcala

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá was the first Franciscan mission in The Californias, a province of New Spain. Located in present-day San Diego, California, it was founded on July 16, 1769 by Spanish friar Junípero Serra in an area long inhabited by the Kumeyaay people. The mission and the surrounding area were named for the Catholic Didacus of Alcalá, a Spaniard more commonly known as San Diego. The mission was the site of the first Christian burial in Alta California. San Diego is also generally regarded as the site of the region's first public execution, in 1778. Father Luis Jayme, California's first Christian martyr, lies entombed beneath the chancel floor. The current church, built in the early 19th century, is the fifth to stand on this location. The mission site is a National Historic Landmark.

Even more beautiful in the daytime

In case you need proof

The Royal Road of Missions

The vegetation was completely amazing

Outdoor baking oven...along with the fountain (above in this photo), olive trees (near the fountain) and bells - characteristics of every Mission

Inside the Eucharistic Chapel next to the Mission Chapel. AMAZING vestments!

Eucharistic Chapel

Pretty sure this was one of the originals. People Adored Christ in this Monstrance in the 1700's!

They grew wild everywhere

as did the cacti "trees"

Stations of the Cross...perfect for Lent!

The Bells! garden view

Finally, the Mission Chapel. They were all straight, simple, and beautiful. No need for embellishments. God is here.

Jesus meets His Mother



The Crucifix at this Mission had no arms. It was placed in 1970, brought from Rome in this broken condition, and used to express the idea that the people of the Church must do Christ's work.

Fr. Jayme, California's first Christian martyr

The Rectory

These reports must be amazing because there is an unimaginable amount of information

Model of the mission site

Some slept up top, some down below. I would have been down below.

Franciscan simplicity

 

We did more this day but I'll save that for the next installment. Ruminate on this a while. Looking at the pictures again, the constant prayer I carried, "Dear Lord, allow us to have even a fraction of this zeal for the faith" continues in my mind. How blessed we are as a Church that this great Saint and his followers were willing to face extreme danger and hardship to bring Christ to this land.

We are blessed.