El Camino de San Antonio Missions Media Kit
Our Story
Missionary fervor is palpable along the historic El Camino de San Antonio Missions Trail in the heart of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Home to the oldest functioning Cathedral in the United States and five 18th Century Spanish Colonial Missions, San Antonio is the only place outside Europe where one can officially begin walking the El Camino de Santiago. Pilgrims who walk the entire route in San Antonio receive 30 km credit toward the Camino Ingles (English route) along the El Camino de Santiago, making El Camino de San Antonio part of an official route of the Camino in Spain.
Contact Carrie Kline at [email protected] for interview requests.
Hon. Rebecca Simmons
Executive Director, El Camino de San Antonio Missions
Hon. Rebecca Simmons is the executive director of El Camino de San Antonio Missions, a new evangelization program of the Archdiocese of San Antonio Texas that encourages pilgrimages to the four eighteenth century Spanish Colonial Mission churches and San Fernando Cathedral. She is a former district and appellate judge as well as a recognized author and speaker on a variety of legal topics.
Rebecca developed her interest and love of the missions by leading her sixth-grade religious education groups on pilgrimages to the missions on bicycle. Over the years, the group has grown to include over 100 adults and children of the parish. As a National Association of Interpreters Certified Interpretive Guide, she continues to accompany pilgrims along the river trail that links the missions and Cathedral. A member of Our Lady of Grace parish, she has taught religious education to sixth graders for over 30 years. Rebecca resides in San Antonio with her husband and three children.
Nicky Mata
Pilgrimage Manager, El Camino de San Antonio Missions
Nicky Mata over serves those who desire to make a pilgrimage along the at El Camino de San Antonio Missions, an outreach of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Nicky has played a vital role in the Department of Pastoral Ministries within the Archdiocese of San Antonio for 11 years and has been with El Camino de San Antonio since its inception. A seasoned pilgrimage guide, she has led thousands along the El Camino de San Antonio Pilgrimage route and is passionate about serving others and bringing them closer to Christ.
Binisa Zentella
Pilgrimage Center Manager
Binisa Zentella is the Manager of the Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center for El Camino de San Antonio, a vital gathering space for the New Evangelization program of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Binisa has dedicated over 10 years researching the Missions of San Antonio, rites and rituals of the Franciscans and Mission Indians, and is co-author of a published lecture for the 300-year anniversary of San Antonio focusing on the Music in the Missions.
A fourth generation educator, Binisa has worked for the Archdiocese of San Antonio in diverse leadership and pastoral roles for 12 years and has been involved in Parish Music Ministry for 25 years. Binisa resides in San Antonio, TX with her husband and two children.
Suggested Interview Questions
- Can you tell our audience about the unique partnership between the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela in Spain?
- Are you able to offer a snapshot of the historic mission churches that pilgrims can visit along the San Antonio Mission trail?
- How do you aim to provide a faith-enriching experience for those who seek only to visit the mission churches as tourists appreciating their architecture and historical significance?
- How are pilgrims encouraged to continue their Camino in Spain, and are there incentives to making San Antonio the entry point?
- Where can people go to learn more about El Camino de San Antonio Missions?
Pilgrimage Testimonials
Pilgrimage Map
Pilgrimage Brochure
Pilgrims stand in front of Mission San José
Pilgrims at Mission San Juan Capistrano
Pilgrims at San Fernando Cathedral
Pilgrims on Camino de San Antonio Missions
Eucharistic Procession at Mission San José
First Holy Communion at Mission San Francisco de la Espada, 1908. Image from Institute of Texan Cultures.
Mother Daughter Pilgrims
Pilgrims in Santiago who began their Camino in San Antonio
Hon. Rebecca Simmons
Executive Director, El Camino de San Antonio Missions
“El Camino will reach out to and walk with our youth, school children, parishes, universities, where they will find an encounter with the Divine…may people find God in these places.”
Most Rev. Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS Archbishop of San Antonio
