Kino in Europe and Mexico City (1661-1681)

Abstract

This research stemmed from two broad questions: Father Kino’s nationality and how he arrived to Mexico, although he always wanted to be a missionary in China. There is a brief portrait of the Duchess of Aveiro, his great patroness during his sojourn in Spain and later California. We also mention the scholars who have conducted the most influential research into Kino’s European period, especially Frumencio Ghetta O. F. M., and we provide a context for the documentation from 1661 to 1681 that encompasses Kino’s family in the Tirol, his Jesuit training in Germany, sailing from Genoa to Seville, his enforced stay in Spain until he was able to travel to Mexico City. In conclusion, we present an overview of the documentation about this historical period contained in his personal files, which will be a planned first volume of the complete works of the celebrated missionary.