TARAHUMARA, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of.
- It is situated in northern Mexico and is a vast region enclosed by the high mountains of the western Sierra Madre.
It is inhabited by a tribe whose name derives from the word raramuri (“swift of foot”), because of the playful custom, still in use, of running while kicking before them a ball made of oak wood. The Jesuit Fr Juan de la Fuente explored the region of the T. in 1614, and other confrères sought to convert them to the faith. With the expulsion of the Jesuits from Mexico in 1767, the area was left abandoned. They resumed their apostolate in 1900. During the First World War the missionaries were expelled and were able to return only in 1921, beginning the education of the young. During the persecution their work suffered a further interruption. Today the mission is in full development. On 6 May 1950 the territory, detached from the diocese of Chihuahua, was erected into an apostolic prefecture and entrusted to the Jesuits.
It has an area of approximately 36,200 sq. km., with approximately 86,919 inhabitants, of whom only 4,000 are pagans. Missionaries 15, brothers 17, sisters 69, catechists 68. Principal stations 7, secondary stations 64, churches 7, chapels 64. Elementary schools 13.