An Adventure Through Faith and Curiosity
Exploring Faith and History at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá
By Dezaray at Eden to Eternity
Today, my daughter Ella and I took a little adventure to Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, California’s first Franciscan mission. It was such a special outing! Not only did we get to dive into some rich history, but we also got to experience a beautiful space where faith and culture come together. Seeing it through the eyes of my curious 8-year-old made it even more magical.
A Glimpse into History
For anyone unfamiliar, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá is a landmark with deep roots. Founded in 1769 by Father Junípero Serra, it's the very first of California’s 21 missions and played a significant role in spreading the Catholic faith in this region. As we walked the grounds, we imagined what life might have been like centuries ago for the early missionaries and Native American Kumeyaay people who lived here. We read about how the mission became a vital community hub, offering education, food, and shelter to locals. Ella was especially intrigued by the bells in the bell tower, which called people to gather – a bit like our church bells today!
An Adventure Through Faith and Curiosity
Ella’s enthusiasm for learning about our faith is something I love nurturing, and seeing her light up during our visit was truly heartwarming. Her favorite part of the day was exploring the mission garden, where we admired all the vibrant plants and flowers. It felt like a tiny paradise, and she said it reminded her of the beauty God created for us. We talked about how these spaces invite peace, reflection, and a chance to grow closer to God. She kept saying how “cool” it was to walk in the same places that early believers walked – as if we were part of something big, stretching back through history.
Why We Loved Visiting Together
As we explored each room, from the chapel to the small museum displaying artifacts, Ella had endless questions. I could see her faith blossoming as she connected with the stories and history we encountered. We even took a moment to sit quietly in the chapel and pray, a simple but beautiful reminder of why we came. Ella suggested we add our experience to Eden to Eternity’s growing list of mommy-and-me faith adventures, and I couldn't agree more! It’s outings like these that make me so grateful for the journey we’re on together.
If you’re ever in San Diego and want to explore a bit of Catholic history with your little ones, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá is a perfect place to start. For us, it was more than a visit – it was a way to bring our faith to life. Here's to more adventures and growing closer to each other and God, one beautiful mission at a time.
