Just one hour from the Mexican border, on the Tohono O’odham reservation, sits the, “White Dove of the desert”. Built between 1783 and 1797, it is the oldest European structure in America. In the flat, Sonoran desert landscape, the mission’s spires stretch towards the heavens and draw you in like a beacon. I pulled into the large parking lot, tried to find some shade and parked the car. “Is that bacon I smell?” Wafting through my open door was a familiar smell in an unexpected space. Yes indeed it was bacon and various other foods being offered from makeshift kitchens to hungry parishioners and tourists. It was Sunday dinner on the grounds, as they used to say in the South. Unlike some of the churches I was going to see in Guadalajara, this one was more rustic with folk art carvings of the saints and such. The priest who performed mass was elderly and a bit grumpy. He called out a tourist for taking pictures in the middle of mass! How embarrassing. Nobody wants to get scolded by a priest no matter how old you are. After the service, dozens of worshipers stood In line to touch a reclining statue of Saint Francis. Some left a scrap of paper with a request on it, some patted the statue as they prayed and a few older men slipped their arm underneath Saint Francis, as if cradling an infant. A man in his late fifties, who looked more like a Hell’s Angel, touched and crossed himself in front of every statue in the church. It always interests me to observe how people of different faiths approach and worship God. I find it moving and I search to understand and appreciate their faith traditions. Next it was off to the church gift shop where you could buy approved candles ( some types give off too much smoke, which over time blacken walls and statues). Also on sale were an astounding selection of rosaries. I brought three, plastic white ones which will be added to the Leap366 Life Ring. Purchase in hand, I headed out into the brilliant sun. My stomach was telling me it was time to eat. With the address of a nearby restaurant who advertised in the church bulletin in hand, I took one last look at the White Dove of the Desert and set out for the day’s food adventure, “ Authentic Sonoran desert cuisine. Yes! PS. My fabric choice for this story deserves a longer explanation than some. I was at my favorite thrift store looking for a nice, bright white, dress shirt to represent the White Dove and the respect I see for the church in the Mexican community and I came across this one. I saw the label and started to walk away. "No", I said, "I'm going to cut it up and make it represent something positive despite the negativity surrounding this man and the Mexican community!" Plus I got to take a picture of the shirt with my Trumpbuster button given to me by a man from our local synagogue.
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LEAP 366
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