Mission Basilica - San Buenaventura Ventura, Calif.

(CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)

 Destination:  Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, celebrated Mass at the new Mission Basilica San Buena-ventura in Ventura, Calif., July 15. The mission became the first basilica in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the 88th in the United States when Pope Francis elevated it on July 15.

In addition to Archbishop Gomez, also celebrating the Mass were Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron, Father Thomas Elewaut, pastor of the mission parish, and Father Leon Hutton, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ventura. 

Masses are being offered in the garden. Mass times as of Aug. 25 are Sunday English Masses at 7:30 and 9 a.m. and Spanish Masses at 10:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Daily garden Masses are at 7:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Saturday Evening Vigil Masses are not being celebrated pending further notice.

Why to go: The church at Mission San Buenaventura is the second oldest house of worship in the three counties comprising the Archdiocese of Los Angeles — Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara — according to the archdiocesan website. The founding of the mission, it says, traces to a decision on Palm Sunday, March 30, 1749, made by the Franciscan priest Junípero Serra to journey to the new world as a missionary. The canonization of Father Serra was celebrated by the mission parish community 266 years later in November 2015.

Founded on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1782, Mission San Buenaventura is the ninth and last of St. Junípero Serra’s missionary foundations along El Camino Real. 

Mission Basilica San Buenaventura remains an active parish serving about 1,600 families as well as a pilgrimage center, which thousands of visitors come to annually.

Amenities: The mission’s Museum and Archival Center chronicals the history of its founding and the development of the area. 

Accessibility: Generally, the mission is accessible..  

(Grand) Kid friendly: All ages are welcome.

Info: Address — Mission Basilica San Buenaventura,  211 E. Main St., Ventura, CA 93001 • Phone — 805-643-4318 • Website — https://www.facebook.com/sanbuenaventuramission/.

— Sharon Boehlefeld compiled this story

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