San Miguel Mission

On Saturdays, I arrive a little early for mass so I can walk the grounds of the San Miguel Mission.  It is about 15 minutes down the road from me, and I much prefer it to the modern Catholic Churches that are a bit closer.  There are still friars living at the mission, so it is not entirely open to the public. You can see the lovely courtyard with a fountain and olive trees.

What is it about arches? 

There is an adorable girl about 10 years old who wears her hair in two long braids.  She smiles at me knowingly -- we have never spoken, but we are friends. There is a leathery farmer who sits behind me with his wife- wrinkled brown - his gaze shockingly bright. The Eucharistic minister wears cowboy boots.  And the Friar switches form English to Spanish as he extends the peace.
 

Cloisters always move me; perhaps because they make me think we are  going somewhere.

The first time there was a wedding going on and little girls in froufrou dresses were skipping through the cloister.  That day there were two barn owls sleeping in the nook above the arches -- I wish I had my camera. At the time, I felt sure I would see them again.  Maybe next time.

The colors washed out a bit -- the bench is a country orange.

The doorway to the church.

I love the imitation marble look -- all done with paint.

Sorry, I didn't want to use a flash and this was as clear as I could get it.

My sketch of the interior.

This is what I see driving to the Mission.  Ah, beauty!