Please help us Light Up Our landmark Trees, the two tallest trees in Ventura! Go to or share the Mission Facebook link or GoFundMe link (Light up our Landmark Trees) with your friends, especially those who live in Ventura.

The bid to properly add LED lighting is $29,994.25. The Mission is committed to funding a down payment for this project that clearly affects the entire downtown commercial district and broader community.

These twin trees are national landmarks and designated as Millennium Trees by the State of California and the Federal Government in 2000. Planted circa 1880 there are two stores about the origin of the trees: 1) planted by a sea captain should he need a new mast; 2) donated by a local family. Regardless, these trees bring distinction to the Downtown District of Ventura.

While the official lighting is on November 30 this year, the lights remain lit through the New Year and would be lit periodically for special occasion…and possibly year around. No other trees in the City have such visibility from US 101 and in the Downtown district. Since 2012 the Mission has joined the Downtown Business Partners to expand this annual event from several hundred persons in 2012 to nearly 3,000 attendance in 2017.

Christmas Tree Lighting: First Friday after Thanksgiving Weekend

An annual MUST ATTEND family tradition for more than 75 years. The two historic Norfolk Pine Trees come alive with festive lights while carolers sing and entertain 3,000+ community members who gather in front of Mission San Buenaventura, Figueroa Plaza and in Mission Park. Main Street is closed between Ventura Avenue and Palm Street. The festivities include a Christmas Village with a variety of booths including food and beverages for the family in Figueroa Plaza, canned food Christmas trees sponsored by Food Share and a live Nativity sponsored by Holy Cross School.

The festivities begin at 5:00 PM. At 6:00 PM our Mayor and the Pastor of the Mission welcome Santa Claus. When Santa lights the trees the magic begins with snow and festive music. Activities for children of all ages are sponsored by the businesses of the Downtown District. Bring a chair and enjoy the evening.

Welcome to the Old Mission San Buenaventura!...the Mission by the Sea! 

We are open 361 days of the year!

At Mission San Buenaventura we often sing the hymn "In This Place" composed by Trevor Thompson that reminds us of the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ among us. One verse goes like this:

We are gathered at table as one in the Lord.
We are gathered as people who are living the Word.
Our hearts and our spirits are nurtured by grace.
It is Jesus who fills us. He is here in this place.

You are cordially invited to join us for our liturgies. We celebrate Mass daily at 7:30 AM (9:00 AM on Monday during the school year). We have six Masses every weekend. Since the Lord's Day begins at sunset, we celebrate the Saturday Vigil at 5:30pm in English and 7:30pm in Spanish in the Old Mission Church. We celebrate three Sunday Masses in English at 7:30am, 9am and 12:15pm. We have a hugely attended Mass in Spanish at 10:30am in O'Brien Hall, the three story building behind the Mission church.  Join us, won't you?

Click here to take a tour of the Mission with Fr. Tom and Joe Estevez as seen on "All Things Catholic" NETNY.TV Brooklyn, New York Television

Amgen Cycle Tour 2018 in Beautiful Downtown Ventura!

The Thomas Fire, December 2017 is the largest in the state of California history. Mission San Buenaventura welcomed and hosted World Central Kitchen, founded by Chef Jose Andres.  Coordinated by L.A. Kitchen, Chef Jason Collis and Chef Tim Kilcoyne with hundreds of volunteers served 36,000 meals and prepared 90,000 dishes for Thomas Fire evacuees, First Responders and young children in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. 

To help sustain the legacy of our historic Mission: please remember Mission San Buenaventura in your Will or Trust planning.

"Siempre Adelante: United in the love of God as a Mission Family."  Shalom, Fr. Tom Elewaut, Pastor.

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is a comprehensive set of procedures originally established by the USCCB at the June 2002 meeting in Dallas for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Charter also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and prevention of future acts of abuse. It was revised in 2005, 2011, and 2018.

The Charter directs action in all the following matters:
 Creating a safe environment for children and young people;
 Healing and reconciliation of victims and survivors;
 Making prompt and effective response to allegations;
 Cooperating with civil authorities;
 Disciplining offenders;
 Providing for means of accountability for the future to ensure the problem continues to be effectively dealt with through the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and the National Review Board.

Click Here to read the Chartedr in English

Oprima  Aqui por leer el Charter en espanol