Missions tour explores history and culture of Southwest Borderlands

 

Locals have the opportunity to tour Catholic missions, thanks to the Southwestern Mission Research Center (SMRC) which is committed to “educating the public about the history and culture of the Southwest Borderlands, especially through its tours and other public outreach,” said Monica Young, SMRC secretary and treasurer.  

 

“SMRC began their signature Kino Mission tours into Sonora during the 1970s, retracing the steps of Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, whose profound influence would forever change the region,” said Young. “In an effort to continue our mission of introducing people to the beautiful history and culture of the Southwest Borderlands, SMRC expanded its range of tours years ago to include the California missions, as well as prehistoric and historic sites in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. 

 

“Catholics may not know that the southwestern corner of New Mexico was part of the Diocese of Tucson until the early part of the 20th century,” said Monsignor Greg Adolf, vice president of the SMRC board of directors. “Bishop Henri Granjon’s travel diary from 1902 provides a fascinating glimpse into travel and the culture of the area. That diary has been published under the title: ‘Along the Rio Grande: A Pastoral Visit to Southwest New Mexico.’ The Diocese of Tucson, which once included all of Arizona and that part of New Mexico, has been divided three times: El Paso (1914), Gallup (1939), and Phoenix (1969).” 

 

The Missions of the River tour in New Mexico and Texas runs October 24-27. Young says this driving tour “will introduce guests to a broad history of this Rio Grande region, including the Indigenous cultures, both pre- and post-contact; the Pueblo groups that accompanied the colonists during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt as they retreated to El Paso del Norte (present-day Juarez/El Paso area); the establishment of the mission communities we’ll visit; and other fascinating pieces of history. Our goal is for our guests to feel they are traveling with a group of very knowledgeable friends.” 

 

The Missions of the River tour will include two Spanish colonial missions: Ysleta and Socorro in Texas. Young explains the historical and cultural significance, “One of the mission churches we will visit, the Ysleta Mission (Corpus Cristi de los Tiguas de Ysleta), is considered the oldest continuously active parish in the state of Texas, and the community is the oldest town in Texas, as well. In 1692, the Tiguas founded Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and built the original mission church. The Socorro Mission church, which is also an active parish, was built by the Piros under the direction of Franciscan missionaries, dedicating it as Nuestra Señora de Limpía Concepción de los Piros de Socorro del Sur. These two mission churches represent the best elements of Indian and Spanish design preserved in El Paso County. Guests will also visit the presidio chapel at San Elizario and an archaeology museum focused on the early Indigenous people of the area.  

 

“Those taking part in the Missions of the River Tour will be experiencing a very rich slice of southwestern history and culture!” said Msgr. Adolf. “As they travel on I-10, they will be traveling parallel to the old military road which linked the Rio Grande to the Old Pueblo. Travelers between New Mexico and Tucson awaited the protection of military supply caravans through dangerous territory, as we can read in the accounts of Bishop Salpointe and other 19th century missionaries, before the railroad connection between El Paso and Tucson was completed in 1881.”

 

In addition to the historic sites, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious cuisine along the way at the Ysleta Tigua Indian Cultural Center, a farm and ranch museum, the Chile Pepper Institute, and a local wine tasting in Mesilla. Msgr. Adolf always says, “We’ll be grazing our way throughout and visiting some wonderful churches on a great pilgrimage adventure for Catholics.”

 

Find more information about the Missions of the River Tour and the Southwestern Mission Research Center at www.southwestmissions.org.