Connecting With Your Faith on Vacation: A Visit to Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá

When Cassidy Van Slyke Blenke visited California’s first mission, she pondered how meaningful it can be to remind ourselves about the foundations of faith.

My husband and I were fortunate enough to travel kid-free to gorgeous southern California to visit family and temporarily immerse ourselves in quiet nights, adult-only company, delicious food, and rekindled companionship, so much of what gets lost in our usual hectic and messy daily childrearing activities. It was insanely wild to find ourselves pausing together, laptops closed, with a few moments to hold hands, laugh, and recall what started it all.

Adding a faith element to our vacation

During our stay, my wonderful cousin, who is also my daughter’s godmother, and her husband, suggested we visit California’s first mission, Mission San Diego de Alcalá. Founded by a Franciscan priest, Saint Junípero Serra, in 1769, this special mission was the first of twenty-one missions that spread northward along the California coast and was known as the “Mother of the Missions.”

The rich history of how the mission served its surrounding community through Baptism, God’s Word, farming, and a reliable source of water can be immediately felt in one’s soul as soon as you set foot on the pebbled walkways, especially as you notice the beauty of its gardens and fountains and your way to the historic buildings and active parish for the surrounding Catholic community and cultural center welcoming to all faiths.

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As Mass concluded for the local community, we observed churchgoers and visitors gathering, worshiping, laughing, and chatting. My husband and I found a bench in a shaded area and were graciously welcomed by one of the parish priests, who invited us for cake and lemonade where the mission just happened to be celebrating the Festival of The Bells, their 255th anniversary, that very morning.

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Seeking solace or curious to discover, all are welcome to experience the warmth and hospitality here. (MissionSanDiego.org)

God steered us in the direction of this moment

It had not even occurred to me, to incorporate a faithful stop during our trip, but as my cousin spontaneously suggested we go, I immediately knew that was God’s love steering us all in His lovely direction, to the foundation of our family, holy love. And here we were, across the nation from our home, at the original foundations of a saintly priest who traveled to the New World, bravely leaving everything behind to spread the love and hope of Jesus. To me, this represents a fantastic God moment. Here we were traveling along, visiting a beautiful, soulful, holy place, and were welcomed at this gracious church, and invited to enjoy their beautiful gardens and historic museums.

The feeling of gratitude, hope, and love warmed me as I recognized what the mission and active parish represented, and still represents today: a community of people, who are driven by a cause greater than themselves to serve with love, kindness, and compassion, who welcome with open arms unto others. This absolutely represents my Catholic faith.

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