SeeCalifornia.com

Thousands of tourists have passed through the doors of Mission Santa Barbara this week, and many will light a candle and say a prayer. The church is open to tourists all year long but also is home to an active Saint Barbara Parish in the Franciscan tradition.

Each year Easter is celebrated at the unique hilltop mission, one of 21 built in California during the Spanish settlement of the coast before the U.S. declared itself a nation in 1776. Mission Santa Barbara, the only mission with twin bell towers, was the 10th of the California missions, founded by Franciscan Friar Fermin de Lasuen on the Feast of St. Barbara, December 4, 1786.  The special days this week include Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. While tours are open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on all but a few holidays, this is one of the church’s busiest weeks of the year.

• Holy Thursday  April 5, 2012, 7 p.m.  Mass of the Lord’s Supper (prepare to have your feet washed!) Mass ends with Eucharistic Procession and Adoration until Midnight.
• Good Friday April 6, 2012, 12 Noon Stations of the Cross; 3PM Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, Liturgy of the Word, Holy Land Collection, Veneration of the Cross, Holy Communion
• Holy Saturday April 7, 2012 8 p.m. Glorious Easter Vigil begins in front of the Church at the Easter fire
• Easter Sunday April 8, 2012  Masses of the Lord’s Resurrection 7:30, 9 and 11 a.m. followed by kids Easter Egg hunt.

Tourists visiting should call the mission for special holiday hours. Tours are normally $5/person, with guided tours on certain days offered for around $8.  Contact: (805) 682-4713. Address: Old Mission Santa Barbara, 2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105. santabarbaramission.org

(Visitors to Santa Barbara with children might enjoy Eggstravaganza in Chase Palm Park on April 7, 2012, or see other Egg Hunts throughout California.)