Junípero Serra Feast Day: July 1 Born: November 24, 1713 Died: August 28, 1784 Patron: California, vocations Miguel Jose Serra was born on Mallorca (Majorca) island off the coast of Spain on November 24, 1713. His parents, Antonio Serra and Margarita Ferrer, were farmers. Miguel was known to have a solemn and serious disposition. He helped on the farm, loved school, and sang in the church choir. Miguel attended primary school taught by Franciscans. At age 16, he entered the Franciscan Order taking the name Junípero after one of the companions of St. Francis of Assisi. In 1742, St. Junípero earned a doctorate in theology. He was famous for his sermons and was invited to preach in neighboring towns. He surprised many when at age 36 he decided to become a missionary in the Americas. In 1749, St. Junípero sailed to America, landing in Vera Cruz, Mexico. He then walked 250 miles to Mexico City. Within six months, he traveled to Sierra Madre in Mexico to establish a missionary and evangelize to the Pame Indians. He learned their native Otomi language, brought domestic animals and taught the Pame people agriculture and commerce. The Pame Indians thrived economically. Through St. Junípero’s zeal for the Gospel, the Pame people learned the Faith and practiced it fervently. When non- native settlers tried to develop the Tancama valley, St. Junípero successfully contested that the territory belonged to the Pame Indians. After 8 years, he was sent back to Mexico City and was assigned to the college in San Fernando to work as master of novices and counselor. He still traveled to various cities to preach the Gospel. The king of Spain, unhappy with their missionary work, dismissed the Jesuits from California. He was also concerned about Russian forces advancing on California. The king of Spain ordered Gaspar de Portola to lead an expedition to secure California for Spain. He sought replacement missionaries and looked to the Franciscans. At age 56, St. Junípero joined the expedition along with 300 others including soldiers and friars. With only half of the number of people they started with, they arrived in 1769 in what is now known as San Diego. St. Junípero’s leg became infected and he could barely walk. He also developed scurvy and suffered from asthma. On top of this, he practiced mortification of the body such as wrapping his body with barbed wire in order to share in the Passion of Jesus and offer up penance for sinners. St. Junípero set up the first mission in San Diego. Supplies ran very short. After a novena to St. Joseph, a ship arrived with provisions on March 19, St. Joseph’s Feast Day. Native Indians in this area lived in the poorest conditions. They suffered greatly from disease and lack of provisions. St. Junípero was instrumental in organizing fresh water, diverting water to make a lake to supply fish, teaching the natives trades such as blacksmithing, brickmaking and agriculture. With adequate shelter and abundant yields of grain, the death rate of natives began to slow. Intense skirmishes between soldiers and natives hindered progress and St. Junípero often interceded on behalf of the natives. St. Junípero was able to establish 9 missions in California. The second was Mission San Carlo de Borromeo de Carmelo which is where he lived. He died at age 70 on August 28, 1784. His body is buried in the floor of San Carlo de Borromeo. Twelve more missions were established after his death. He is called the “Apostle of California.” St. Junípero was beatified in 1988 by St. Pope John Paul II and canonized by Pope Francis on September 23, 2015. “Isiempre adelante!” “Always go forward and never turn back!” ~ St. Junípero