January 14, 2013 – This morning we head up to the 2nd oldest Spanish mission in the Baja, San Francisco Javier, was initially founded by the Jesuit missionary Francisco María Piccolo on May 11, 1699 at a spring called Viggé Biaundó by the native Cochimí, about 8 kilometers north of the mission’s subsequent location. The site was abandoned in 1701 because of a threatened Indian revolt, but was re-established by Juan de Ugarte in 1702 and moved to the better-watered present location of the community of San Javier, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The church, considered one of the most beautiful and well preserved of the Californias, was built with stone taken from a quarry near Santo Domingo 20 km southeast of San Javier.
Last evening we enjoyed our Feista Night dinner at Marv & Shel’s lovely house in Loreto, our musicians Miguel & Martin were wonderful, the food was superb as usual and we had a little extra entertainment from Andy & Marv, what a great evening. After arriving earlier in the day from Playa Santispac we went for lunch at Del Borracho, modelled after a Texas Saloon. Great burgers, a chicken BBQ special and other good options plus some saddle sitting ensured everyone had plenty to eat and lots of fun. I do love the draft Negro Modello, this is definitely my favourite!
It has been a busy few days since I last blogged, whale watching in Guerrero Negro which was very successful, the we drove to San Ignacio and our excursion to the town square where the were celebrating Dia de los Santos Reyes with Columbian performers, a real treat! The next day continuing south we stopped in at Santa Rosalia for our walking tour and took in a community photo exhibit, very cool. A couple of hours later we were settled onto Playa Santispac for 2 nights, fortunately the weather calmed down for bright sunny skies with little wind. Many got out in the Kayak, tried out the Ladders game, checked out Lupe’s, ate at the new Playa Santispac Restaurante and just relaxed in the sun. Our Pot Luck dinner went well as usual, fire kindly provided by Bruce & Marian who had gathered fire wood in advance of our arrival. Dante Corona even showed up and was able to wash many of the RVs, folks were very pleased to leave Fidel’s mud behind (contact him at dcorona.79@gmail.com). Lots of good Baja memories made from these few days for sure.
Did you know?
The mission San Javier is named after Francis Xavier (Javier), born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta (7 April 1506 – 3 December 1552) was a pioneering Roman Catholic missionary born in the Kingdom of Navarre (now part of Spain) and co-founder of the Society of Jesus. He was a student of Ignatius of Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits, dedicated at Montmartre in 1534. San Javier led an extensive mission into Asia, mainly in the Portuguese Empire of the time and was very influential in the spreading and upkeep of Catholicism most notably in India, but also ventured into Japan, Borneo, the Moluccas, and other areas which had thus far not been visited by Christian missionaries.
St. Francis Xavier is noteworthy for his missionary work, both as organizer and as pioneer. He likely converted more people than anyone else has done since Saint Paul. By his compromises in India with the Christians of St. Thomas, he developed the Jesuit missionary methods along lines that subsequently became a successful blueprint for his order to follow. His efforts left a significant impression upon the missionary history of India and, as one of the first Jesuit missionaries to the East Indies, his work is of fundamental significance to Christians in the propagation of Christianity in China and Japan. India still has numerous Jesuit missions, and many more schools. There has been less of an impact in Japan particularly following the persecutions of Daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the subsequent closing of Japan to foreigners.
