Saint Junípero Serra is one of the most important missionaries in the history of the Church in the Americas.
His writings, portraits, and the missions he founded reveal a man deeply in love with Christ and willing to leave a comfortable academic life to bring the Gospel to those who had never heard it.
From his birth in Mallorca to his tireless journeys through Mexico and California, his story challenges us to keep moving forward in faith and missionary zeal.
Here are 10 facts about Saint Junipero Serra, California's great missionary saint:
1) We do not have photographs of Saint Junípero Serra, but we do have several contemporary portraits and many writings that reveal his inspiring life.
2) He was born and baptized on November 24, 1713, in Petra, Mallorca, Spain. As a child, he was described as small and somewhat sickly.
3) He lived during a time very different from our own. Church and state were often intertwined, and life expectancy was much lower.
4) He gave up a comfortable life as a respected priest and university professor in Palma, Mallorca, to come to the Americas and spread the Gospel message to those who had never heard of Christ’s love.
5) From his arrival in Veracruz in 1749 until he departed for Alta California in 1769, he ministered to Catholic Christians in present-day Mexico. During this time, he served as president of the Franciscan missions in the Sierra Gorda region north of Mexico City.
6) On July 1, 1769, Serra entered present-day California at San Diego.
7) He founded eight or nine missions between San Diego and San Francisco to evangelize California Indians.
8) He died on August 28, 1784, at the age of 70.
9) Pilgrims from all over the world visit his grave at Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo.
10) Saint Junípero Serra was canonized on September 23, 2015, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Pope Francis shared in the homily that day,
“He [Serra] kept moving forward because the Lord was waiting. He kept going because his brothers and sisters were waiting. He kept going forward to the end of his life. Today, like him, may we be able to say: Forward! Let’s keep moving forward!”