Saint Junípero Serra

Feast Day: July 1

• Miguel José Serra was born on November 24, 1713, in Petra, on the island of Mallorca, Spain. He was the son of humble farmers, Antoni Serra and Margarita Ferrer. From a young age, Miguel showed a deep interest in the faith.

• At the age of 15, he entered the Franciscan Order, taking the name Junípero in honor of St. Juniper, who was a companion of St. Francis of Assisi.

• Junípero Serra was ordained a priest in 1737 and became a renowned scholar and professor of philosophy at the University of Palma. Despite his academic success, he felt called to missionary work. In 1749, Serra left Spain for the New World, arriving in Mexico, then known as New Spain, to begin his mission among the indigenous peoples.

• After spending several years working in Mexico, Serra was appointed to lead the Franciscan missions in Alta California, a region newly acquired by Spain. In 1769, at the age of 56, he established the first of a series of missions at San Diego. Over the next 15 years, Serra founded nine missions along the coast of California, including San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, which became his headquarters.

• Serra's mission work was focused on converting the native Americans to Catholicism, teaching them European agricultural practices, and integrating them into Spanish colonial society. He worked tirelessly to protect the rights of the natives, often clashing with military authorities over their treatment.

• Despite facing numerous challenges, including harsh conditions, illness, and opposition, Serra persevered in his mission. He traveled hundreds of miles on foot and by mule, personally overseeing the establishment of each mission. His efforts laid the foundation for the development of California, and his missions became the centers of agriculture, education, and faith in the region.

• Junípero Serra was known for his deep piety, humility, and dedication to the people he served. He practiced strict self-discipline and penance, often fasting and wearing a shirt made of hair. His motto, "Always forward, never back," reflected his determination to carry out his mission despite the obstacles he encountered.

• Serra baptized over 6,000 native Americans and confirmed over 5,000 during his time in California. He also introduced European livestock, crops, and fruit trees to the region, which had a lasting impact on California's agricultural development.

• St. Junípero Serra died on August 28, 1784, at Mission San Carlos Borromeo, in Carmel, California. He was buried at the mission, and his legacy as the "Apostle of California" continued to grow. The missions he established became the foundation of many of California's modern cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

• Pope John Paul II beatified Junípero Serra on September 25, 1988, and he was canonized by Pope Francis on September 23, 2015, during a special Mass in Washington, D.C., making him the first saint to be canonized on U.S. soil.

• St. Junípero Serra's feast day is celebrated on July 1st, and he is recognized as the patron saint of vocations and the indigenous people of California.

Saint Junípero Serra, pray for us!