Junípero Serra, Priest

No person had more influence on the settlement of California than Padre Junípero Serra. He was born Miguel José Serra to parents of humble means, living in Petra on the Mediterranean island of Majorca. His early education took place on the island at the Franciscan convent of San Bernardino. The church there had several small chapels on either side of the main altar dedicated to saints. Young Miguel developed a strong love for these saints while attending Mass, and their names—including San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles, San Francisco—later became the names of the cities and missions which he established along the Camino Real in California.

Junípero Serra undertook a bold journey in coming to the New World. Our physical travels may not be as far-reaching as Serra’s, but we are all on a spiritual journey whose course can often be as dramatic. We, too, can hold steadfast to our goal of reaching God’s kingdom.