"Grant, Eternal Father, that our Nation consecrated by his incessant foot falls may learn in this challenging hour the meaning of his sacrifice and dedication."

Francis J. Green, D.D.
Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson
Invocation

O God, who directs the course of men and of nations by endowing their leaders with vision and courage, grant us gracious acceptance as we give thanks for the heritage of Eusebio Francisco Kino. Led by our Governor and our Members of the Congress, reverently we come as sons and daughters of Arizona to place this inspired and inspiring figure in the hallowed shrine of our Nation's great.

On this birthday of our State, we thank you for this devoted priest of the Society of Jesus who brought the light of the Gospel and of civilization to our rim of Christendom.

Grant, Eternal Father, that our Nation consecrated by his incessant foot falls may learn in this challenging hour the meaning of his sacrifice and dedication.

We beseech you now to bless with continued inspiration the gifted artist and all who across the many years have sought and preserved the Kino heritage as a precious treasure. May your blessing which he daily invoked at desert altars descend now upon our Nation and remain with us always.

Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.