00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 White Dove of the desert
By Peter DeSouza with pictures by Violet DeSouza The Lancer just crossed the 75mph speed limit on Interstate 19. The real reason why I released the accelerator was a sign post that caught my eye in the midst of Arizona's Sonora desert. It read 'Mission San Xavier del Bac'. Although our destination was the 'Titan Missile Museum', we took an impromptu decision to visit the Mission. http://community.webshots.com/photo/25037907/92043042SchUyo Mission San Xavier del Bac, Tucson, Arizona The church of San Xavier del Bac, popularly known as 'The White Dove of the desert' lies in the heart of the mission. Built in 1797, it is a fine example of mission architecture in the U.S. Some sources claim that it was built by the Tohono O'odham Indians, while others state that it was the Franciscan Friars. The towers, parapets and spires triggered memories of churches in Goa and of bygone eras. http://community.webshots.com/photo/25037907/92043055yAaBVH Front altar of the church of San Xavier del Bac As you enter the church, you see a large painting of a 'missionary holding a cross'. When you walk through the aisles, beautiful murals which cover the inside walls capture your attention. To the left of the main altar is a casket with the statue of the mission's patron Saint. Worshippers believe that the Saint has miraculous powers to grant favors. Intrigued by the similarity with the St. Xavier who we know, I began to wonder, who is really San Xavier del Bac? 'del Bac' is an adaptation of a native Indian tribal word 'W,ak', which means water that rises from the ground. At the parish office, Fr. Edgar Magana, an Associate showed us a relic that was presented to him; a tiny piece of the Saint's bone framed with a certificate of authenticity from Rome. He informed us that the mission was founded in 1682 by a Spanish Jesuit, Fr. Eusevio Kino. When the Jesuits were expelled from the then South Mexico, Franciscan Friars took over the mission. He went on confirm that the Saint had been adopted as patron by the people of del Bac and that his real name is St. Francis Xavier, a missionary who did great things in India. http://community.webshots.com/photo/25037907/92043023gKVVel Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, India As a person of goan origin, I felt a special bonding with the people of del Bac. Now it was my turn to tell Fr. Edgar that San Xavier del Bac is our Goencho Sahib. I also told him that the body of the Saint resides in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa and is exposed to the public once in 10 years. http://community.webshots.com/photo/25037907/92342602xSWhOV Portrait of St. Francis Xavier, Mission San Xavier del Bac When we got back on Interstate 19, I felt elated that 'The White Dove' is still flying high in parishes and missions around the world. At the same time, I could not help feeling trifle disappointed at the thought that there are many who still do not know that the Saint is a permanent resident of Goa in India. Later we visited a relic of the cold war era, the 'Titan Missile Museum'. We heard an impressive briefing on the Titan program and learnt that today it is the worlds' only ballistic missile museum. However until 1983, it was a fully operational nuclear complex loaded with propellants and warheads. For 20 years it was maintained ready for launch, 24 x 7. This solitary missile, which fortunately did not leave its blocks, was built with a capacity to inflict 10 times more damage than what the world saw at Hiroshima. http://community.webshots.com/photo/25037907/92042991hkJwvq The Titan Missile a.k.a 'The ultimate peacekeeper' Missions' and 'Missiles' are projects that are started in the name of peace. At the launch control center, I tried to imagine what would have happened had a U.S. President ordered the missile to take flight. And I felt grateful that he who ordered The White Dove to fly also included Goa in its trajectory. Yet another reason why I feel proud to be a Goan. 000000000000000000000000000000000000000 ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
