375th Anniversary of the Birth of Father Kino

MAGDALENA, SONORA, MX – Devotees of Father Kino will be able to virtually join the commemoration of the 375th anniversary of his birth this Saturday, as well as a special Eucharist in Italy, to celebrate his elevation to the rank of Venerable, as part of the canonization process.

The religious celebration can be followed virtually through YouTube and zoom starting at 6:00 p.m. in Italy (9:00 a.m. in Magdalena de Kino).

The Eucharistic celebration will be presided over by the Archbishop of Trento, Italy, Monsignor Lauro Tisi, with also Bishop Emeritus Monsignor Luigi Bressan and the parish priest of Taio, Don Carlo Das.

In addition to the general postulate and vice-postulate for the Beatification of Padre Kino, the priests Pascual Cebollada and Domenico Calarco.

The bishops of Phoenix and Tucson, as well as those of Hermosillo and Nogales, will join this important event on video, in addition to the Mexican ambassador to the Vatican, Alberto Barranco Chavarria from Rome, Italy.

Eusebio Francisco Kino was born in Segno, Italy on August 10, 1645 and from a very young age he was sent to study with the Jesuits, being a faithful devotee of Saint Francis Xavier.

In 1680 he traveled to Mexico founding 20 missions in the region that now includes Northern Sonora and Southern Arizona.

He also introduced ranching and advanced farming methods to the ancient settlers to whom he brought his faith.

Father Kino died on March 15, 1711, in Santa Maria de Magdalena, today Magdalena de Kino, where he was buried and his remains rest in his crypt in the Plaza Monumental.

The beatification process has three stages; the first of them to be considered Venerable, the second Blessed and the third and last one, Saint.