The Wishing Shrine

LEGENDS are as common in the Southwest as cattle ranches. Because Arizona is a historical state, there are many legends attached to its pioneer days. Among the many is that of the Wishing Shrine located at Tucson, Arizona. The true circumstances at the very roots of this Shrine are still a question mark in the minds of native Tucsonians.

Situated in the oldest part of Tucson, the Shrine is a landmark to both the Mexicans and any other person who calls Tucson his home. To the tourist the Shrine is a must on his sight-seeing list. The "Sight of Legends" has indeed watched a rapid growth of Tucson, and now watches a constant stream of passing traffic that not so many years ago, records estimate around 1880, was an occasional horse and wagon.

Once standing by itself, the Shrine is now rather inconspicuous as it is situated between a garage and a grocery store. It consists of a U-shaped adobe wall, topped with red brick. In the center of the wall is a built-out section resembling a fire-place. This serves as the altar. To the left of the altar is a small headstone crowned with a small cross. Both the floor and the roof are Nature's own. On the adobe walls placed at random are small pegs upon which are hung wreaths. Standing on the ground, here and there, are candelabra of various sizes and shapes that have many times over been reshaped with candle grease.

Throughout the years many people of all races, creeds, and ages have made their way to the Shrine. There are many nights when the numerous candles burning make the Wishing Place a miniature city. Some who place a candle wish for the impossible, others wish for simple, down-to-earth dreams to come true. Contrary to some belief, the Shrine officially has no bearing on any phases of religion, although at the beginning some Mexicans prayed for the salvation of wayward daughters. To this day there are no doubt some who still use the Shrine for a religious rite of one kind or another.

One may pick almost any type of legend that will be included in the many that have been built-up and passed on through the several years. To touch on a few of the most popular: A man was murdered on his wed-ding night. In his dying moments he declared that anyone who burned a candle at his grave and made a wish, that wish would be granted. Another one: A man by the name of Juan Oliveras was murdered and buried at the site of the present Shrine. As the story goes, Juan was found visiting his mother-in-law by his father-in-law, who then murdered Juan. As a result, the Mexican woman made a vow to pray for his soul. This version, incidentally, was the one chosen by the City Council in 1927 as the official legend. The daughter of the late Dr. L. H. Goodwin, of Tucson, also made the statement that this story is true. Juan Oliveras was a sheepherder on her father's ranch.

Another popular story regards a Mexican boy who lost all of his money gambling. He asked his father-in-law for a loan of some money, and when he was refused, the youth killed the man. Because the Mexicans are superstitions over events leading to violence, they, too, prayed for the boy's soul to be saved.

Perhaps the most romantic version involves two lovers who fought a duel over the girl they both loved. They were both killed, and the girl lighted candles over their graves every night and prayed that God would take her soul. Before she died she requested her friends to still keep lighted candles over the graves.

There are some people brave enough to say miracles have occurred after visiting the Shrine. Blindness has been cured, cripples were able to walk again. Even ghosts were seen before the Shrine. This is all a small part in the contributions of legends.

After reading a few tales of the Shrine, one may choose a particular story as the favorite to accept, or prefer to believe that it could have been one of the many tales. Regardless, even though the origin is a question mark, today there is a Wishing Shrine, there are candles burning night and day, and someone is on his or her way to make a wish that may come true.