Name of Church St. Gianna Oratory/Holy Family Church
Address 338 West University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone number 520-303-8859
Website https://www.institute-christ-king.org/
Mass times Latin Tridentine Masses: Sundays, 8:30 at 10:30 a.m. (high Mass) Monday & Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. First Fridays, 8 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.
Confessions Sundays and weekdays, 30 minutes before Mass except Thursdays, Thursdays, 5:30 – 6:25 p.m. 1st Saturday, 7:10 – 7:40 a.m. Also by appointment.
Names of priests Rev. Canon William Avis, administrator of Holy Family Parish and Rector of St. Gianna Oratory. The Institute of Christ the King priests are orthodox and offer reverent liturgies according to the Extraordinary Form.
School No.
Devotions Rosary, 25 minutes before Masses; St. Joseph devotions, Wednesdays after Mass; Benediction, Thursdays after Mass and 1st Fridays after 8 a.m. Mass; Sacred Heart devotions, Fridays after Mass; Our Lady of Sorrows devotions, Saturdays after Mass (except 1st Saturdays); Infant King Novena, 17-25th of each month after Mass; 1st Saturday devotions, 7 – 7:50 a.m.
Music The Latin Masses have a beautiful traditional choir on weekends
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.
Additional observations St. Gianna Oratory at Holy Family Church is a combined church that operates out of the same historic church building. Canon William Avis 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 Fr. Lucas of St. Joseph and Fr. 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 also draws many homeschooling families. The parish was previously served by Tucson diocesan priest Fr. 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. Fr. 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, Tucson Bishop Gerald 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.
Take a tour of St. Gianna’s:
By Just looking at the pictures I really feel something great inside the church. Sacrifice of the persons who made this possible are always not in vain.
I commend the Bishop for making the Latin Mass available for those who prefer that form.
I am a bit confused as to why the vestments are pale blue. My limited knowledge was Anglicans/Episcopalians used that color where Roman Catholics used dark purple. Can anyone clarify?
All Catholic Churches should be like this. God Bless the Institute of Christ the King. Please supports its growth.
Colors vary according to feast days , seaons and holidays. Purple is used during Lent, white and gold at Easter and Christmas, green St. Patrick’s.