St Junipero Serra

Today we remember the life that was lived by St. Junipero. St. Junipero was born on November 24, 1713 in Spain on the island of Mallorca. St. Junipero decided to enter the Franciscan Order he decided to take the name of Saint Francis’ companion, which was Brother Juniper. Until he was around the age of 35, St. Junipero had spent most of his time in the classroom. He first started his time in the classroom as a student of theology and then he was later able to become a professor. St. Junipero had also become famous for his excellent and exceptional preaching. However, eventually he decided to give it all up and he had followed the yearning that had begun many years before when he was able to first hear about the missionary work of Saint Francis Solano which had occurred in South America. St. Junipero’s desire was to be able to bring native people who lived in the New World to Jesus through love and kindness.

St. Junipero later arrived by a ship to Vera Cruz, Mexico, when they arrived him and a companion decided to walk 250 miles to Mexico City. On his journey there St. Junipero’s left leg had become infected by an insect bite and it had remained a huge cross for him for quite some time and he was in a lot of pain for the rest of his life. St. Junipero was able to work for 18 years, in central Mexico and in the Baja Peninsula. Eventually during that time span St. Junipero became president of the missions there.

St. Junipero had encountered many difficulties during his life, however a very impactful one was the threat of the Russian invasion from Alaska. During this difficult time Charles III of Spain decided to order an expedition in order to beat Russia to the territory. So the last two conquistadors, one who was part of the military, and one who was spiritual began their quest. José de Galvez decided to persuade St. Junipero to set out with him and they went to what is now known as Monterey, California. The first mission occurred after the long 900-mile journey north which was to San Diego during the year 1769. During that same year a shortage of food had almost canceled the entire expedition. St. Junipero and another friar decided to stay behind with the locals and they began a novena in preparation for St. Joseph’s day, which occurred on March 19, which was the scheduled day of departure. On that day, the relief ship had arrived.

St. Junipero later made a very long trip to Mexico City so that he could settle a great issue with the military commander. St. Junipero later arrived at the point of death. The outcome was what St. Junipero had expected because he had protected the natives and he did many missions. It was the basis for the first significant legislation in California, a “Bill of Rights” for Native Americans.

St. Junipero’s missionary life was very difficult and it was filled with many long battles, and he had to deal with many unsympathetic military commanders and even with danger of death from non-Christian native peoples. Through all of his issues and pain he never lost his love for Christ because he prayed each night, often from midnight till dawn. During the course of his life St. Junipero was able to baptize over 6,000 people and he had confirmed 5,000. Through all of his travels he was able to circle the globe. St. Junipero was able to give the Native Americans not only the gift of faith but he also gave them a decent standard of living. St. Junipero was able to win their love, and it was clear when he died how much they loved him. St. Junipero was later buried at Mission San Carlo Borromeo, Carmel, and he was later beatified during the year 1988. Pope Francis later canonized him in Washington, D.C., on September 23, 2015.

Prayer to St. Junipero

St. Junipero help us to guide more people to Christ by being more loving, kind, charitable and humble towards others. Help us to serve others before ourselves and help us to make this world a more accepting and charitable place.

Amen

St. Junipero pray for us

St. Joseph pray for us

May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.

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Works cited:

Information (read from, not taken):

Franciscan media. “Saint Junipero Serra. ”Saint Junipero Serra | Franciscan Media. Accessed July 1, 2021.

Images:

Saint Junipero Serra. July 1, 2021. Saint Junipero Serra - Google Search.