As we continue our trek across the country from Florida to Arizona, we stop over for an evening in Las Cruces, New Mexico. We arrived Saturday afternoon with time to search local vigil Masses. We decided prayerfully upon St. Albino Basilica.
San Albino is one of the oldest parishes in the Mesilla Valley. It was established by order of the Mexican government in 1851. In 1906, the present building was constructed on the foundation of the original adobe church.
The bells of San Albino date to the early 1870s. It was in 1876, that the first bell for the church was commissioned. In 1887, the final, and largest of the San Albino bells, Campana Grande, rang out across the Mesilla Valley. In keeping with Catholic tradition the bells were christened and given godparents to care for them. Today, the bells are still rung to wake parishioners and call them to Mass.
In 2008, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in the Vatican granted minor basilica status to San Albino.
Such a blessing to arrive early for Mass and find Jesus waiting on the altar. Incredible, unexpected blessing from God – more proof He guided us here. Brought tears to my eyes after a long day on I-10, to just get to kneel at Jesus’ side.
Surrounded by Jesus, Mother Mary and the saints. With St. Michael the Archangel standing guard at the door.
Sts. Peter, Paul, Lawrence, and Isidore the farmer.
Saint Albinus of Angers was a French abbot and bishop. Born to a noble Gallo-Roman family at Vannes, Brittany, St. Albinus was a monk and from 504 A.D. Abbot of Tintillac. His reputation spread during the twenty-five years in which he served as abbot. In 529, St. Albinus was elected, against his wishes, Bishop of Angers.