The Kino Heritage Society celebrated the 30th anniversary of the “Three Statues for Three Nations,” a ceremony honoring Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, on Sunday morning.
The celebration, led by Ward 5 Councilman Richard Fimbres, started at the Kino statue on 15th Street and Kino Parkway, where various speakers spoke on the history of Father Kino. A Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral and a private reception at the diocesan pastoral center rounded out the day’s activities.
“The Kino Heritage Society is here to continue to remind us of the incredible work by Father Kino in this community,” said former Tucson Bishop, Gerald Kicanas. “We want to remember this great man who helped so many.”
Father Kino was a Jesuit missionary, explorer, cartographer, rancher and farmer. He also founded 21 missions in the Pimería Alta, which is now Northern Sonora and Southern Arizona.
It was 329 years ago this month when Father Kino first rode into Tucson. Gregory Adolf, the Pastor of St. Andrews the Apostle Church, said Father Kino saw Tucson as a beautiful area.
“He (Father Kino) said this is the most beautiful area and it will one day support a city greater than Mexico City,” Adolf said.
Both the Pima County Board of Supervisors and Mayor Regina Romero proclaimed the month of August 2021 as Father Eusebio Francisco Kino Month at the ceremony. They encourage community members to honor Father Kino’s life and legacy by visiting his statue.
Arizona Governor, Doug Ducey, had also prepared a statement that was read during the ceremony.
“The legacy of Father Kino is an important part of Arizona’s history and whose contributions have influenced the people and culture of the Southwest,” said Ducey in his statement.
There are three statues that were created to honor Father Kino’s life. The equestrian statues are in Tucson; Magdalena, Sonora; and Segno, Italy.
While Tucson is celebrating Father Kino, identical ceremonies are being held in Italy and Mexico.
Rafael Barceló, the Mexican consul of Tucson, and Silvia Chiave, the Italian consul of Los Angeles, attended Sunday’s celebration and spoke on Father Kino’s legacy.
“He put together very different words, and that’s why we are here celebrating his legacy,” Barcelo said.
In 2020, Pope Francis declared Father Kino a venerable person, two steps away from sainthood.
