Junipero Serra

Junipero Serra was born on November 24, 1713 in a Spanish village of Petra on the Balearic Island of Majorca. His parents, both illiterate farmers, instructed hen in the rudiments of faith and enrolled him in the local Franciscan school at age seven. At age fifteen, he entered the Franciscan Order in Palma, the capital of Majorca.

Junipero was ordained a priest at age 24, and intend a doctorate in Sacred Theology at 28.  By age 35, he held the highest-ranking professorship at the University of Majorca. He was also a brilliant orator.  But his soul stirred with the desire to become an apostolic missionary.

Junipero left Majorca for Mexico in 1749; he sent a farewell letter to his parents.  He wrote, in part, “I wish I could give you some of the happiness that is mine; I feel that you would urge me to go ahead and never turn back.

On December 7, 1749,after a three-month transatlantic crossing to the New World, during which the ship was temporarily blown off course by a violent storm that threatened shipwreck, Junipero first stepped ashore on the continental North America at Vera Cruz, Mexico.  He chose to walk the 275-mile stretch of El Camino Real to Mexico City’s San Fernando Apostolic College.  Along the way chigger bites infected his lower left leg.  Recurrent inflammations, eventually developed in to ulcerated, possibly cancerous growth, would afflict him for the rest of his life.

Junipero’s missionary career began in the rugged, mountainous Sierra Gord region north of Mexico City.  He spent eight years (1750-1758) among the Pame Indians and served as president of the five-mission chain. He quickly mastered their difficult language, instructed them in Christianity by composing a native catechism, songs, and paraliturgical celebrations, and helped them become skilled in various trades.

At age 53 Junipero ventured to Lower California as newly appointed president of the peninsula’s fifteen missions.  He soon learned of Spain’s forthcoming temporal and spiritual settlement of Upper California.  He volunteered and was appointed president.

During the 95-day, 750-mile journey north by land from Loreto to San Diego Bay, Junipero experienced great pain in his left leg. It became inflamed and the swelling reached halfway of his leg covered with sores. He was determined to move on.

On July 1 1769 Junipero arrived at San Diego and established Presideo-Mission De Diego de Alcala, on July 14, California’s first Christian settlement.

After Junipoer’s first complete tour of the fledgling California mission chain in 1772, he saw that provisions were irregular, Indian affairs were poorly managed, and many other changes needed to be made. He decided to travel to Mexico City to personally appeal to the Viceroy. This arduous two-year journey twice brought him to the gates of death. 

Junipero presented his petitions to Viceroy Bucaeli in a new famous 32-point Representation.  This was California’s first “Bill of Rights”, which succinctly outlined the province’s need and offered concrete solutions to its problems.  All of his requests were granted.

After devoted his life to a dynamic apostolic ministry among the California Indians, Juniperos slowed considerably by mid-1784 and prepared to die. By late August, the royal surgeon was unable to alleviate his old long trouble, and along with his age, strenuous lifestyle, and ulcerated leg, he was diagnosed with a “worn-out body”.

On August 27, Junipers received Viaticum, his last Holy Communion. He walked the few hundred yards from his cell to the sanctuary of Mission Carmel’s Church, were he knelt and began to sing, Tantum ergo, Sacramentum, veneremur cernui (Down in adorations fallen, lo, the Sacred Host we hail) with terms in his eyes and with the sonorous voice he always used, as if nothing were the matter, affecting all so deeply that he could not follow him in the singing. His friend Fray Francisco Palou administered the Holy Viaticum and then the service as finished he remained in the same posture on his knees, thanking the Lord.

On August 28th, Junipero prayed along in his cell until 1 p.m., then prepared for a siesta by removing his mantle, laying down on his rough bed of boards, and clasping his crucifix t his breast. Shortly before 2 p.m. Francisco Palou entered Junipero’s cell and “found him sleeping the Lord, without giving any sign or trace of agony.”

So ended Junipero Serra’s life at 70 years, 9 months and 4 days. He had been a Franciscan for almost 54 years, a priest for 45 and apostolic missionary for 35 years. In California alone, were he spent the last 15 years of his life, he had founded nine missions baptized more then 6,000 Indians and confirmed more that 5,000.

Native peoples and settlers keep Junipero’s saintly memory alive after his death.  Streams of visitors have pad their respects at his Mission Carmel grave, included Pope John Paul II on September 17, 1987.