Heathen Vagabondage

It was not only the crisp, clean lines of white against the brilliant blue sky, nor the over-the-top Baroque feast for the eyes inside the 18th century Mission San Xavier del Bac that drew us in. It was coming across the term "heathen vagabondage" that really captured our imaginations.

Padre Kino founded San Xavier Mission at the village of Wa:k in the 17th century and his job as missionary was to "pacify" the natives and make them loyal vassals of the crown of Spain. But the Piman groups who populated the area practiced the centuries old seasonal migration lifestyle, consisting of summer and fall tending and harvesting crops in their rancherias, and after harvest leading a nomadic hunting and gathering lifestyle.

The Europeans could not understand this lifestyle. They condemned mobility as "heathen vagabondage" because of their misunderstanding of the Pimans cultural and ecological adaptation to life in a sometimes harsh semi-arid environment.

As full time RVers heathen vagabondage speaks volumes to us. Our nomadic lifestyle is outside the norm but so right for us at this time. We are thankful we live in the 21st century; some may not understand our choices, but no one is trying to pacify us!

The Mission is located approximately 10 miles South of Tucson, is an active church, has docent tours daily, and a museum that details the history of this architectural beauty in the desert.

One small example of the elaborate interior.
It is impossible to capture the intricate details in a photo...

Many architectural details are simply painted directly on the walls.