From Catholic histories founded by Jesuit missionaries to modern-day telescopes and hot dogs, here are a few fun parallels
DETROIT — On March 18, Archbishop-designate Edward J. Weisenburger will become the new shepherd of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He will say goodbye to the Diocese of Tucson’s average 350 sunny days a year and trade in his sandals for snow boots.
Archbishop-designate Weisenburger has spent the last eight years serving in the Diocese of Tucson, Arizona, a mission diocese covering nine counties, 400,000 Catholics, nearly 200 priests, 77 parishes, 34 missions and 23 Catholic schools. Although he's not a stranger to the Midwest, the Motor City is, at first glance, markedly different from “the Old Pueblo.”
The Archdiocese of Detroit currently serves approximately 900,000 Catholics across six counties in southeast Michigan, with 214 parishes, 86 schools and 224 active priests.
However, although both cities celebrate and honor different cultures and roots, much in their histories run parallel to one another.
The Catholic Church has played an important role in the growth of both cities, where faith communities have continued to thrive. Their shared Catholic history serves as a reminder of the universal Church — the Sacrifice of the Mass is the same whether celebrated in Tucson or Detroit, and Catholic principles and social teachings done in good faith give the cities similar spirits.
Here are some other similarities and "fun facts" about Detroit and Tucson:
Jesuit Roots
The Jesuit order played a role in the establishment of both cities and the Catholic communities that grew in them. A Catholic presence first made its way to Arizona in the 1600s, and in 1692, Venerable Padre Eusebio Kino, SJ, built the San Xavier del Bac Mission in what is now present-day Tucson. The Diocese of Tucson was founded in 1897.
A decade after modern-day Tucson welcomed its first Catholic missionaries, French explorers led by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac arrived on the banks of the Detroit River on July 24, 1701. Two days later, they built a chapel where two Jesuit priests who had accompanied them celebrated Mass for the first time.
City Patrons
Cadillac and his men celebrated the first Mass in Detroit on July 26, the feast of St. Anne, who would become the city’s patroness. The small chapel eventually became what is now the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit, a Gothic church overlooking the Detroit River. To this day, the feast day of St. Anne and her husband, St. Joachim, is a major celebration for the parish and for the faithful in Metro Detroit.
St. Augustine of Hippo is the city of Tucson’s patron saint. He is honored in the city not only by the city’s mother church, St. Augustine Cathedral, but also by an annual festival for the saint, held on the anniversary of St. Augustine’s death, Aug. 28, which coincides with the harvest of fruits and other crops in Tucson.
Holy Examples
Both Tucson and Detroit proudly ask for the intercession of holy men who lived and served in their cities on their way to sainthood. Detroit’s own Blessed Solanus Casey, OFM Cap., was beatified in 2017, while Padre Eusebio Francesco Kino, SJ, the founder of the first missions in Tucson, was declared "venerable" in 2020.
Vatican Observatory
The Diocese of Tucson is home to one of the sites of the Vatican Observatory, namely the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT). The Vatican Observatory’s director, Bro. Guy Consolmagno, SJ, calls Tucson home, but he is a son of Detroit who visits Michigan often. Born in Detroit in 1952, Bro. Consolmagno attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. He is now a renowned research astronomer, physicist and religious brother in the Society of Jesus.
Hot Dogs
Detroit is known for the Coney Dog, but Tucson has a specialty of its own: the Sonoran Hot Dog, a bacon-wrapped hot dog served on a bun and topped with beans, tomatoes, onions and jalapenos.
