• Saint Who?

Saint Who?

Saints Who Were Missionaries

Saint Junipero Serra

Priest and religious († 1784) Feast: July 1

The people of California have recognized Junipero Serra with honors and statues for centuries, yet some have recently attempted to make him a symbol of Spanish oppression of the native peoples. This is far from the truth.

Miguel José Serra Ferrer was born on Spanish Mallorca. He traveled to Palma to study at a Franciscan university, entered that order, was ordained a priest, took the religious name Junipero, and served as a professor of theology and philosophy for several years. He could have spent his entire life safely in Spain, but he wanted to bring the Gospel to those who had never heard of Jesus Christ.

For a few years, Junipero lived among the Pame Indians in central Mexico, but he spent the rest of his life in the southwestern United States. The missions he established, such as San Diego and San Francisco, have since grown to become famous cities. During the thirty-five years he spent in the Americas, Junipero brought thousands of Native Americans to the faith. He also taught them agricultural methods, protected them from inter-tribal violence, and defended them from mistreatment by Spanish soldiers, on one occasion walking hundreds of miles to Mexico City to lodge a formal complaint. He died beloved by the native peoples and respected even by his enemies.

Heavenly Father, bless all missionaries
with steadfast faith and loving concern.