Name of Church St. Gianna Oratory/Holy Family Church
Address 338 West University Blvd., Tucson AZ 85705
Phone number 520-623-6773
Website www.institute-christ-king.org/tucson and www.holyfamilychurchtucson.org
Mass times St. Gianna Oratory (all Tridentine Mass): Sundays, 8:30 a.m. (low Mass), 1 p.m. (high Mass). Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m., except Thursdays when Mass is at 7 p.m., followed by benediction and Sacred Heart litany for the sanctification of priests.
Holy Family Church (not Tridentine Masses): Saturday vigil, 4 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (Spanish).
Confessions Daily before the Latin Masses, Saturdays after the 4 p.m. vigil Mass. Check the websites for additional times.
Names of priests Rev. Canon Richard von Menshengen, rector of St. Gianna’s and parish administrator of Holy Family. Canon von Menshengen only celebrates Mass in Latin; visiting priests do the English and Spanish Masses on weekends. Canon von Meshengen is orthodox and is a reverent liturgist. He is from Austria but speaks English well.
School No.
Special groups and activities Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Sacred Heart Society (with a spiritual meditation offered by the rector), meal program for the homeless, Marian Catechist Apostolate (originally founded by Father John Hardon), First Fridays devotion
Music The Latin Masses have a traditional choir on weekends; the New Masses often do not have music.
Fellow parishioners The oratory/parish is surrounded by a poor Hispanic community and an industrial area. Those who come are usually drawn by the traditional Latin Mass, as well as some who live locally in the community.
Parking OK.
Cry room Yes.
Parish bulletin Available online.
Additional observations St. Gianna Oratory/Holy Family Church is a combined church that operates out of the same historic church building. Canon von Menshengen leads both communities. The parish is one of Tucson’s historic landmarks and the oldest parish within the city limits.
It was founded a century ago by Carmelite Fathers Father Lucas of St. Joseph and Father Eduardo of the Child Jesus, both of whom would be martyred during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Pope Benedict beatified both in 2007 (two of 497 martyrs of Spain he beatified), bestowing on them the title of Blessed. St. Gianna’s/Holy Family is a haven for Catholics who prefer the old liturgy and draws many homeschooling families.
The parish was previously served by Tucson diocesan priest Father Richard Rego (1934-2007), a pious priest who was a proponent of the Tridentine Mass and a friend to the Institute of Christ the King. Father Rego was a late vocation, ordained at 48. He drove 150 to Tucson to celebrate the Tridentine Mass (he was assigned to a parish in Ajo). In 2006, Bishop Kicanas assigned him to serve the St. Gianna Latin Mass community. Upon his death in 2007, the bishop invited the Institute of Christ the King into the diocese to take over Father’s ministry. Bishop Kicanas has since returned for confirmations and has celebrated Mass according to the old rite.
Although my wife and I live 80 miles from Tucson, we have attended Tridentine Masses at St. Gianna when we have travelled to Tucson. The outside is notable for a pro-life shrine. The inside has fascinating artwork. The liturgy is beautiful!
Anything that the Institute does is always stunning and sublime!!
So this is the one Tridentine Mass that Bishop Kicanas bragged to me about when he talked to me at the Los Angeles (lost Angels) Bishops’ meeting!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher