“‘A Gift of Angels’ is crawling with facts and figures and more than 175 photographs — and is gorgeous to boot.” – Review of Arts, Literature, Philosophy and the Humanities
“We now have a rich and fulfilling record of the art and history of this important and cherished southwest Mission.” – Ted J. Crews
“‘A Gift of Angels: The Art of Mission of San Xavier del Bac’ is simply stunning…” – Midwest Book Review
Those of us who love the church at San Xavier know that it is an unlikely structure – an ornate, theatrically embellished building standing nearly alone in the desert, just above the flood plain of the Santa Cruz River. Its survival in the harsh and extreme environment of the Southwest through more than two centuries is perhaps even more unlikely.
Clues to its enduring hold on the imagination of so many may be found in the building itself. There is no more comprehensive guide to San Xavier than the volume, “A Gift of Angel: The Art of Mission San Xavier del Bac” by Patronato founder Bernard “Bunny” Fontana and photographer Edward McCain.
Fontana has devoted much of his life to studying and documenting the history and art of San Xavier. McCain is an award-winning photographer who has spent years shooting the interior of the multi-domed church.
The award-winning “big book,” published by UA Press in October 2010, sold more than 1,700 copies in its first six months. Retailing at $75, it is available directly from UA Press, local book stores and online. The UA Press is committed to keeping it in print.