Padre-Eusebio-Francisco-Kino, S.J.

Born in Segno, Italy, in 1645 and educated at Jesuit colleges, Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino entered the Society of Jesus in 1665. His petition to be sent on a distant and dangerous mission was granted in 1678, and he began missionary labors in Lower California on April 1, 1683. On March 13, 1687, he went among the Pimas, and during 24 years in Pimeria Alta he made 50 missionary and exploring expeditions inland, founded missions, established ranches, introduced domestic animals and European plants into Arizona, made world-famous maps, and wrote enduring books. He died in 1711 at age 66 at Magdalena, Sonora, where his body now rests.

Tucson, Arizona · United States