Padre Kino's Crypt Opened to Obtain 3rd Class Relics

On Wednesday, March 30, 311 years after his death, a special event took place at Padre Kino’s gravesite in Magdalena de Kino, Sonora, Mexico. Following his unexpected death on March 15, 1711, Padre Kino’s remains were laid to rest under the floor of the Chapel that he had come to the village of Magdalena to dedicate.

The chapel and the site of Padre Kino’s burial ‘disappeared’ from sight and memory until their surprising rediscovery in 1966. In the 1970’s, a beautiful mausoleum was erected over the crypt/gravesite, containing the bones of Padre Kino, and two other early missionaries.

The mausoleum and Padre Kino’s bones have been the centerpiece of a very popular pilgrimage every October, drawing crowds from all over southern Arizona, northern Sonora, and the Native American tribal lands – the scene of Padre Kino’s apostolic labors for twenty-four years.



With the designation of Padre Kino as “Venerable” by Pope Francis in 2020, the Kino Heritage Society has been looking for more ways to make Padre Kino’s name and ‘career’ as a “Bridge-builder” between peoples and cultures, more known!

In order to further the Cause of Padre Kino’s canonization, the Kino Heritage Society sought to obtain 3rd Class relics, to be shared through holy cards, inviting his intercession.

 

Rosie P. García, KHS President and Historian, began making contacts with officials of Centro INAH Sonora (Instituto Nacional Antropología y Historica), which has responsibility for all of Mexico’s historical sites – including Padre Kino’s mausoleum. Over many months, and with the assistance of Tucson’s Mexican Consul Rafael Barcelo Durazo, Ms. Garcia negotiated with INAH officials in Hermosillo. Bishop Weisenburger supported these efforts with letters to the various officials, explaining the importance of the relics to the Faithful of the whole region.

After a number of delays and postponements, permission was finally secured, for a very rare opening of the crypt, to allow the placement of several rolls of black ribbon in near proximity
to Padre Kino’s remains – the ribbon then becoming 3rd Class relics. The crypt has only been opened a couple of times in the past 50 years, for conservation/inspection.

On a beautiful sunny afternoon, a small delegation from the Kino Heritage Society and the Diocese of Tucson, including Fr. Greg Adolf, Deacon Lauro and Lupita Teran, and Bob and Lucy Leon (photographer), and Ignacio Rodriguez, Associate Director of Ethnic Ministries of the Diocese of Phoenix, met with INAH’s conservator, Rodolpho Castillo Lopez, and local officials from the Magdalena city government, and prepared to open the crypt.

The mausoleum itself was closed to the public during the opening, and a small crowd gathered to watch through the wrought-iron gates, as conservator Rodolpho Castillo Lopez carefully entered the crypt, and placed the rolls of ribbon directly on Padre Kino’s remains.

There was a very tangible sense of joy among all of those present, including the local citizens who had witnessed this very historical moment.

The whole event took only a few minutes, as the conservator very carefully used a brush to remove all signs of entry, as he retraced his steps.

The spools of ribbon were then signed by those present, an attestation of their authenticity. The ribbon will be cut into small pieces and affixed to holy cards, with the prayer for Padre Kino’s canonization. These cards will be available through the Diocese of Tucson and the Kino Heritage Society.

The event in Magdalena was the very happy culmination of a very long process of negotiations, and, as KHS President Rosie Garcia, said, “Just getting this accomplished is another miracle! Gracias, Padre Kino!”

By Fr. Greg Adolf