Eusebio Francisco Kino may be second only to the sacred Virgin of Guadalupe in the hearts of many Mexicans ... possibly more important to the descendents of the indigenous groups that he cared for, taught and protected. There is a hope among locals that he may some day be canonized by the Catholic Church. - Beyond The Guardrail's Photos- powered by SmugMug

Magdalena de Kino is a favorite on our route to and from Mexico. It is situated about 65 miles south of the US/Mexican border crossing at Nogales, in Sonora State. For a small town, there is much to see and do here, and we enjoy our restful stays.

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Beyond The Guardrail > Magdalena de Kino is located in the valley of the Magdalena River which has water throughout the year. It's elevation at a little more than 2000 feet above sea level affords one of the most moderate climates in the Sonora Desert. Maximum average daily temperatures range from 80 degrees Farenheit in July and August to 52 degrees Farenheit in December and January. With a climate that is described as "medium dry" it has more rainfall than surrounding desert areas and enjoys a lush green vegetation that is striking after a long drive through the desert. Thus Magdalena offers real seasonal changes without extremes of temperature. The Mission Santa María Magdalena was originally founded by Padre Juan Batista Escalante. It was destroyed in 1648 and then restored by Padre Eusebio Kino in 1700. In 1711 Father Agustin Campos invited Padre Kino to bless the new Chapel at Magdalena named in honor of San Francisco Javier, Kino's devoted Saint and the guardian of the Pimeria Alta. In the middle of the service, Kino became very ill and weak. The great missionary, explorer and humanist died at midnight of March 15, 1711. He was 66 years old.

Beyond The Guardrail > Magdalena de Kino's central plazuela is dominated by the mission which is open every day, To the right is a small room with a life-size statue of Saint Francis of Asisi. People enter the side door at the back and pass by the statue. Some place their hands under the feet and lift. It is said that if the head rises at the same time that you lift the feet, you will be cured of all illnesses and infirmities. In early October, the city and plaza are flooded by pilgrims who walk hundreds of kilometers to pay homage to Saint Francis. The pilgrims bring tiny "milagros" to place near the statues of the saints. Milagros (miracles) are small figures of body parts that represent an infirmity of a pilgrim or a loved one ... the pilgrims hope that their walk and their tiny gift will result in a cure.

Beyond The Guardrail > Padre Kino now shares his special place in the hearts of the people of Magdalena with another man ... a modern missionary who won the hearts of the Mexican people. Luis Donoldo Colosio was a dynamic, young, progressive candidate in the 1994 presidential election in Mexico. Colosio, with his attractive wife and two children, reminded Mexicans of John F. Kennedy. His words reawoke the Mexican dream of true freedom and democracy. Colosio courageously challenged the massive corruption in Mexico and vowed to fight it ... even that within his own political party. There seemed to be a real chance for a new Mexico ... especially for the millions of poor and lower middle class citizens who feel they have been forgotten by their government. Sadly, true to form for Mexican heros and as with John F. Kennedy, Colosio was assasinated

Beyond The Guardrail > Magdalena offers comfortable accomodations, delicious food from regional anotojitos to the finest Sonoran Dining, an ample supply of potable water, hospitals and private clinics for almost every form of medicine and dentistry, many specialty shops including unequalled shops for items and clothing associated with the profound religious significance of the city to many Mexicans. Magdalena's Feast days draw visitors from around the world. They are characterized by festivities that include traditional dances, seasonal foods, and music as well as the important rituals for the Church.

Beyond The Guardrail > Magdalena, with its profound religious significance to many Mexicans, has become a center for pilgrimages during Catholic feast days. Regardless of religion visitors are profoundly moved by their experiences during their visits to the pueblo.

Beyond The Guardrail > They say a visit to Magdalena de Kino is a near religious experience. It is not only the site of one of the missions of Padre Eusebio Kino, it is where he was buried. Until the mid 1960's, no one knew what had happened to Kino's body after his death. It is a fascinating story. Briefly, teams of investigators from Sonora and the University of Arizona began excavation of the streets of Magdalena. After several years the project was terminated and then reactivated. With patience and the full cooperation of the people of Magdalena the investigators dug miles of trenches in the inner city. Finally they found what they were looking for ... the remains of Padre Eusebio Kino, missionary, explorer, mathmatician, cartographer, astronomer and a humanitarian in inhuman times.

Beyond The Guardrail > Eusebio Francisco Kino may be second only to the sacred Virgin of Guadalupe in the hearts of many Mexicans ... possibly more important to the descendents of the indigenous groups that he cared for, taught and protected. There is a hope among locals that he may some day be canonized by the Catholic Church.

Beyond The Guardrail > Padre Eusebio Kino was undoubtedly one of the most important figures in the era of the conquistadors. The Franciscan Padre was also a respected mathematician, astronomer and cartographer. He was responsible for more than thirty missions in Northwestern Mexico and Southern Arizona. Kino was not popular with the Conquistadors because of his humanitarian concern for the rights of the natives. However, he was tolerated because of his unique knowledge of the territory and his friendly relations with the indigenous peoples.

Beyond The Guardrail > Eusebio Kino was born in 1645 in the Italian Tyrol. His family name was originally Chini, and there are still Chinis living in his home town of Segno. He was educated at Jesuit colleges, first in Trent, and later in Hall, near the Austrian city of Innsbruck. In 1663 he suffered a severe illness and promised his patron saint, St. Francis Xavier, that he would become a missionary if he recovered. He did recover, and embarked on the rigorous training of a Jesuit, which lasted until 1677. He was then sent to Mexico, where he attempted to establish a mission program in the dry and inhospitable region of Baja California. The time was not yet ripe for this enterprise, however, and Kino was reassigned to northern Sonora in 1687.

Eusebio Francisco Kino may be second only to the sacred Virgin of Guadalupe in the hearts of many Mexicans ... possibly more important to the descendents of the indigenous groups that he cared for, taught and protected. There is a hope among locals that he may some day be canonized by the Catholic Church.