The Ysleta Mission, Texas’ Oldest, Honors A Special Saint

Lose something?  If so, you should consider asking for some divine help finding it at this centuries old mission in Ysleta, near El Paso, Texas.

The Ysleta mission is located in Ysleta, east of El Paso. It was first established by the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribe, aka the "Tiguas", in 1682. It's the oldest mission in Texas although much of the current structure was actually built in 1851.

The Tigua dedicated the mission to Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of lost things.

The Tigua arrived here from New Mexico, which they fled after the Pueblo Indians there overthrew the Spanish colonial system, in 1680, forcing Spaniards and Christianized Pueblos to seek safety elsewhere. The Tigua dedicated the mission to Anthony of Padua, patron saint of things that have been lost, whose figure stands atop the entrance; inside are blankets dyed in brilliant blues and reds and a statue of Kateri Tekakwitha, the Catholic Church’s first Native American saint. - Texas Monthly

He became the patron saint of lost things after praying for the recovery of a stolen book of psalms. That's not his only gig though, other events in his life led to him being named the patron saint of amputees, Brazil, the elderly, shipwrecks, poor people, oppressed people and more. Read the prayer to Saint Anthony here.

Pro Tip: The best time to visit the mission is on June 13. That's when you can get some "churching up" and a show as the Tigua celebrate Saint Anthony with novenas, special foods and traditional dances.