St. Martin de Porres Mission (Pima)

About St. Martin de Porres Mission

St. Martin de Porres Mission is a Catholic mission church serving the small community of Pima in the Gila Valley of southeastern Arizona. It is administered by St. Rose of Lima Parish in Safford, under the Diocese of Tucson, and is part of a network of Catholic communities in the Gila Valley that includes the main parish, a Newman Center at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Solomon, and San José Mission.

Patron Saint: St. Martin de Porres

St. Martin de Porres (1579–1639) was born in Lima, Peru, the illegitimate son of a Spanish knight, John de Porres, and a freed Panamanian slave named Anna. In 1594, Martin became a Dominican lay brother in Lima and served in various menial offices. Outside of the monastery he became known for his care of the poor and the sick; he founded an orphanage and ministered to African slaves brought to Lima. He was aided by St. Rose of Lima, who respected his penances and labors. Martin experienced many mystical gifts, including bilocation and aerial flights. When he was dying in Rosary Convent on November 3, the viceroy, the count of Chichon, knelt by his bed, seeking Martin's blessing. His feast day is celebrated on November 3.

• Born in Lima, Peru, 1579
• Dominican lay brother
• Founded an orphanage
• Friend of St. Rose of Lima
• Feast Day: November 3

Religious Education at St. Martin de Porres

The St. Rose of Lima Parish religious-education program serves Pima-area children at St. Martin de Porres Mission. Children in 1st through 4th grades meet on Thursdays from 4:00–5:15 PM at St. Martin de Porres. Older grades meet at the main parish campus in Safford. Children preparing to receive First Penance/Reconciliation or First Holy Eucharist for the first time are required to be attending Mass weekly, with signed bulletins turned in to their RE teacher.

• Pima 1st–4th Grade: Thursday 4:00–5:15 PM at St. Martin de Porres
• Older grades meet at St. Rose of Lima in Safford
• First Communion/First Reconciliation preparation requires weekly Mass attendance

Parent Parish & Wider Community

St. Martin de Porres Mission is part of the St. Rose of Lima Parish family, which anchors Catholic life across the Gila Valley. Under Pastor Rev. Nicodemus Shaghel, St. Rose of Lima Parish in Safford supports five Catholic communities: the main church on Central Avenue in Safford, a Newman Center at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Solomon, St. Martin de Porres Mission in Pima, and San José Mission. The parish family supports active St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, and Cursillo chapters.

• Parent parish: St. Rose of Lima, 311 S Central Ave., Safford, AZ 85546
• Pastor: Rev. Nicodemus Shaghel
• Sister communities: Newman Center (Thatcher), Our Lady of Guadalupe (Solomon), San José Mission

Contact & Location

St. Martin de Porres Mission is located at 50 South Main Street in Pima, Arizona 85543. Inquiries are routed through the St. Rose of Lima Parish office.

• Address: 50 S Main St., Pima, AZ 85543
• Parish office phone: (928) 428-4920
• Parish website: saintroselima-safford.com