Blessed
Junipero Serra [Blessed Junipero Serra] Also known as Apostle of California ,
Miguel José Serra Ferrer Memorial 1 July (United States)
28 August (elsewhere) Profile Entered the Franciscan
University at Palma at age 15, and joined the Order at age 17, taking the name
Junipero after the friend of Saint Francis. Ordained in 1737, and taught philosophy
and theology at the Lullian University. In 1749, Serra was sent to the missionary
territories of the west of North America. A mosquito bite he received early in
his trip to the New World left one leg swollen; this and his asthma made walking
a painful process for the rest of his life. In 1768 he took over missions in the
Mexican provinces of Lower and Upper California, missions the Jesuits were forced
to abandon by order of King Charles III. A tireless worker, Serra was largely
responsible for the foundation and spread of the Church on the West Coast of the
United States. Founded twenty-one missions, converted thousands of Native Americans,
and trained many of them in European methods of agriculture, cattle husbandry,
and crafts. Dedicated religious and missionary, penitent and austere in all areas
of his life. Blessed Junipero Serra is the namesake of the Serra Club, an international
Catholic organization dedicated to the promotion of vocations, and the support
of seminarians and religious novices. Many of his letters and other writings have
survived, and the diary of his travels to the west was published in the early
20th century. Born 24 November 1713 at Petra, Spanish Majorca
as Miguel Jose Serra Died 28 August 1784 of tuberculosis
at Mission San Carlos, California, USA of natural causes, buried at Carmel, Monterey,
California Venerated 9 May 1985 by Pope John Paul II Beatified
25 September 1988 by Pope John Paul II Canonized pending;
if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Junipero, contact
Cause of Padre Serra Old Mission Santa Barbara 2201 Laguna Street Santa Barbara,
CA 93105, USA - or - Franciscan Friars - Province of Saint Barbara 1500 34th Avenue
Oakland, CA 94601-3091, USA Name Meaning jester of God (= Junipero) Back
to Saints Index Gallery at www.TotallyCatholic.com |
