La Pimeria Alta

Mission Land, Fertile Ground

Centuries ago,

Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino, S.J. initiated a journey of faith into present day Southern Arizona and Northern Sonora, a territory then known as the Pimeria Alta. He was impelled by his missionary spirit to bring the native peoples of that area the Gospel and into a closer relationship with God. Today a group of lay men and women, as People of Faith — Maize, strive to be worthy of the heritage that was left to us by Padre Kino. As People of Faith, we are hungry for a figure that says that we are still one people and that we can live together, depending on one another, in peace and in harmony. We share one border, family values, in many cases bloodlines, so we are inspired by Padre Kino’s example of mutual respect, care, and understanding. We believe that by following his example, we can go a long way toward addressing current issues of immigration, economic imbalance, violence and drugs that plague our borderland. We want our spirit and that of others who hear this call, to undertake this journey and be renewed as we follow Kino’s path into the Pimeria Alta of today. To that end, The Patronato de Kino has formed a non-profit organization; dedicated to enriching the cultural and spiritual heritage left to us by our illustrious Padre on horseback, the tireless pioneer of faith and justice, Francisco Eusebio Kino, “un hombre sin Fronteras.”

 

When Padre Kino traversed this region, there were no borders. He founded his missions in established O’odham villages, close to water sources. He came as a missionary to preach the word of God to the native populations of the Pimeria Alta, and introduced to them his patron saint, San Francisco Xavier. Centuries after his death, devotion and faith continue in the land of Kino despite the border that now divides the Pimeria Alta. Records show native populations that inhabited the portion of Northern Sonora began to decline after contact with the Spaniards due to, among other reasons, infectious diseases. In other cases, as these villages became largely Mexican, indigenous peoples moved to other villages that were still native communities. Some intermarried and over time, assimilated moving from being Indigenous to Mestizos to becoming Mexicans.

 

The Pimeria Alta, the land of Kino, is still a land of paradox and dichotomy. We now have one border and two countries, one of them wealthy and the other

rich in natural resources yet to be developed. We speak English, Spanish and Native languages, and people call themselves American, Mexican or Native. Our common legacy is the work of Padre Kino to unite the tribes and peoples of the Pimeria Alta into common coexistence.

 

The social conditions of the border region have also changed dramatically since Kino’s time. We now have undocumented people from Mexico and Central America crossing in great numbers risking incredible hardship even death.  In the Tucson sector, deaths increased from 164 in 2006 to 190 in 2007.

Among the many published statistics from various sources and points of view, a recent Jesuit publication states that since 1988, three thousand people

have died crossing the border. Increasingly more women and children are losing their lives as families attempt to reunite. Death here is only part of a much larger and untold story.

 

Border crime has also increased, but not always connected to undocumented people. Most noticeable are drug related crimes, for as long as a significant

portion of the United States population has a voracious appetite for drugs, drug cartels are happy to meet demand. Violence against women on the border has also increased. Single unattached females that come to work in maquiladora jobs are easily victimized. Many of these women come from rural communities

and lack support systems at the border.

 

In the midst of seemingly unsolvable social conditions, the faith brought by Padre Kino and his contemporaries survives. The O’odham were the first to be converted by Padre Kino, and today practice a version of Catholicism called “Santo Himdag.” The Yaquis, who were Christianized by Jesuit missionaries prior

to Padre Kino, today, practice a blend of native spirituality and Catholicism. On both sides of the border, shrines and home altars are erected, murals,

primarily to the Virgin de Guadalupe, appear on mountain cliffs, walls, businesses, cars, and just about any place with a flat surface. Undocumented people

have started to construct makeshift shrines on the Pimeria Alta’s trails they follow.

These shrines are largely of a religious nature and are composed of rosaries, images of the Virgin de Guadalupe Patron Saint of immigrants, St Jude,

Patron Saint of desperate and impossible causes, plus crucifixes, candles, prayer books, and personal items. These shrines provide a respite on their journey where they can pray for family left behind, and contemplate the unknown that awaits them.

 

People today need a Border Saint to pray for healing and a renewed spirituality — “Un Santo Fronterizo.”

In 1968, the late Jesuit Fr. Charles Polzer, wrote in A Kino Guide, that Padre Kino had to come to a desert. “He came among abandoned peoples. He rode the

arid trails. He bore the acid criticism of colonials. Why? Because he recognized that the paradox of Christianity is locked in the paradox of the desert.

Life is more meaningful where life seems not to be. People are dearer where people seem they could not be. Peace is more possible where man recognizes

the potentials of hostility. The Pimeria Alta had responded to the vision of Padre Eusebio. His dedication, his dreams, and his devotion had not changed the Pimeria as much as it had brought it to life.”

 

The membership of The Patronato de Kino has the earnest desire to rekindle the spirit of Kino, so that his example of mutual respect, care, and

understanding can help us today to live together, interdependent on one another in peace and harmony. We pray that Father Eusebio Francisco Kino,

Servant of God, will continue to inspire us with his dedication, his dreams and his devotion to be witnesses of the gospel, so that in the face of ever changing social concerns, selfish economic priorities and the lack of social justice. May we bring new life to the Pimeria Alta of our times.

 

To join the efforts and work of the Patronato de Kino go to Friends of Kino. Your prayer and contributions of time, talent and treasure are greatly appreciated.