Composed by Carlos Zapién. Performed by the Cathedral Schola and conducted by the composer. Work commissioned by the Kino Heritage Society of Tucson in honor of Fr. Eusebio Kino, S.J., declared 'Venerable' by Pope Francis, July 13, 2020. This video was recorded at San Xavier del Bac Mission, located southwest of Tucson, Arizona.
A National Historic Landmark, 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. It is a place where visitors can truly 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.