Now we move to "Old" Pascua. This Barrio was formally established on Easter Sunday - "DOMINGO DE PASCUA" - in 1921 when 40 acres were set aside in the desert northwest of Tucson for homes and a plaza for ceremonies where "the Yaquis would not be bothered by any others who were not of their religion". In 1969, the Diocese of Tucson made a grant of $55,000 for the purchase of lots within Barrio Pascua which were not owned by Yaquis. In 1978, the Diocese of Tucson made another grant of $8,000 to pay for delinquent taxes assessed to various properties in Barrio Pascua.
Today the plaza is home to a social service center supported by the City of Tucson and the new San Ignacio de Loyola Church is administered by the San Ignacio Yaqui Council. The Church is aptly named in honor of the founder of the Society of Jesus because it was the JESUITS, the spiritual sons of San Ignacio (1491-1556) who began working with the Yaqui people in the state of Sonora, Mexico in the 17th century. The results of this Yaqui-Jesuit collaboration produced the fusion of culture and faith that is still celebrated today in ritual and ceremony on the sandy grounds of the plaza.
