Saint Junipero Serra

Biography

Saint Junipero Serra, also known as the Apostle of California, was born as Miguel José Serra Ferrer on November 24, 1713, in Petra, Spanish Majorca. At the age of 15, he entered the Franciscan University at Palma, Spain, and two years later, he joined the Order, taking the name Junipero after the friend of Saint Francis. After being ordained in 1737, Serra began teaching philosophy and theology at the Lullian University. However, in 1749, he was sent to the missionary territories of the west of North America. His journey to the New World was marked by a mosquito bite early on that left one of his legs swollen, exacerbating his lifelong struggle with asthma and making walking a painful process. In 1768, Serra assumed responsibility for the missions in the Mexican provinces of Lower and Upper California. These missions had been abandoned by the Jesuits by order of King Charles III, but Serra's tireless dedication led to the foundation and growth of the Church on the West Coast of the United States. He founded a total of twenty-one missions and converted thousands of Native Americans to Christianity. One of Serra's significant contributions was his efforts to train Native Americans in European methods of agriculture, cattle husbandry, and crafts. By imparting these skills, he aimed to enhance their lives and provide them with the means to sustain themselves in changing times. Serra was highly committed to his religious and missionary duties, embracing a life of penitence and austerity. Blessed Junipero Serra is revered as the namesake of the international Catholic organization, the Serra Club. This organization is dedicated to promoting vocations and supporting seminarians and religious novices. The writings of Junipero Serra have been preserved, including many letters and his diary documenting his travels to the West, which was published in the early 20th century. Saint Junipero Serra passed away on August 28, 1784, at Mission San Carlos in California due to tuberculosis. He was buried at Carmel in Monterey, California. Recognizing his heroic virtues, Pope John Paul II declared him venerable on May 9, 1985. Later, on September 25, 1988, Pope John Paul II beatified him. Finally, on September 23, 2015, Pope Francis canonized him, with the canonization recognition ceremony held at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, presided over by Pope Francis himself. Saint Junipero Serra is the patron saint of California and the Serra Foundation. His unwavering dedication to spreading the faith and improving the lives of Native Americans has left a lasting impact on the history of the Church in the United States. His life serves as an inspiration for those interested in promoting vocations and engaging in missionary work.