". Updated June 19, 2020 Father Junipero Serra is known as the Father of California's Spanish missions. The missionaries rebuilt the mission as an army fort. Serra was an 18th century Franciscan friar who founded the first nine missions in California during the era of Spanish colonization. A previous Photo of the Week selection. Presidios were the military foundations of the Spanish empire. Pope John Paul II beatified Serra (made him a candidate for sainthood) in 1988. In 1931, California chose Junipero Serra as one of the two subjects that each state is allowed in the statuary hall in the US Capitol building. He didn't ", DR. IRIS ENGSTRAND, professor and chair of Father Junipero Serra headed that mission. In what way did Junipero Serra try to combat some of the abuse taking place in the missions? Place of burial: The sanctuary of Mission Carmel. He was from Majorca in Spain. It is estimated that during his ministry, St. Junipero Serra baptized about 6,000 native people. He joined the Franciscan order as a young man and took the name “Junipero” in honor of St. Juniper, a companion of St. Francis of Assisi. San Diego Mission. at all these Indians. Their purpose was to provide protection for the settlers and missions. They wouldn't let them leave the missions. Over the next fifteen years—covering the American Revolutionary War period—Serra established nine of California’s famous missions, helped lay the foundation for much of its modern economy (including its agriculture and winemaking), and planted the seeds of the Catholic faith for generations to come. Into the vacuum created by the Jesuits' expulsion from Mexico, stepped Franciscan missionaries. Even after the burning of the mission in He was physically Let's whip them into shape.' He was beatified in 1988 by Pope John Paul II and canonized in 2015 by Pope Francis . I think you really In July 1767, the guardian of the college of San Fernando appointed Serra president of the missions of Baja California, heading a group of 15 Franciscan friars; Francisco Palóu served as his second in command. After fifteen years of toil in Upper California, St. Junipero founded nine missions, including San Gabriel, which was recently burnt down. The next year, Jose de Gálvez, the Spanish inspector-general decided to explore, establish presidios and found missions in Alta California, the area which is now the stat… (Huntington Library) This is the cenotaph, or empty tomb, of Junipero Serra at the Mission Carmel. Denver Newsroom, Jun 22, 2020 / 03:20 pm (CNA).- In Los Angeles and San Francisco over the weekend, protestors tore down two statues of St. Junipero Serra, an 18th-century Franciscan priest and missionary who they accused of contributing to the destruction of Native American culture through his founding of the first nine of California’s mission churches. September 23, 2015 – Pope Francis canonized Junipero Serra (declared him a saint), in a mass held before 20,000 people at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Let's whip them into shape.' There is controversy about Father Serra as well. These nine missions, named below, are part of the chain of 21 missions that stretched for 650 miles along California’s El Camino Real (The Royal Road). The purpose of this page rather is to shed a bit of light for those unfamiliar with his story and the role that Junipero Serra played in the founding of California. . How many missions did Junipero Serra found? However, young soldiers far from home sometimes tend to be "rambunctious". One year before he beatified Fray Junípero Serra in 1988, St. John Paul II made a pilgrimage to the grave of the Franciscan priest at Mission San Carlos Borroméo in Carmel, Calif. He was from Majorca in Spain.He was a teacher of philosophy in Spain and Mexico in the 1740s. Father Serra also suffered from asthma which ultimately led to his death. However, he also fought efforts to enslave Indians, and opposed the colonial governor over treatment of the Indians. Father Serra founded 9 of the 21 Franciscan Catholic missions in Alta California (there are also Catholic missions in Baja (Lower) California which is still part of the country of Mexico). thought and what he did. He wasn't out there saying, 'Wow, look While some of that happened after the gold rush in 1849, it began with the mission system that Serra founded. life from the time he was born, where he was trained, what he He wanted San Carlos Borromeo (Carmel) 1771. Under his leadership, the misisons became self-sufficient, and many grew into thriving settlements – the basis for some of California’s most important cities. Junípero Serra y Ferrer (November 24, 1713 – August 28, 1784) was a Franciscan friar most well known for founding the first 9 California missions. Born in Spain, Junípero Serra first traveled to the Americas in 1749 while in his thirties, to work as a Catholic missionary in Mexico. The Franciscans were asked to take over the missions and Father Serra was assigned as the new Superior of the region. This monument notes the landing spot in Monterey of the expedition of Junipero Serra and Gaspar de Portola in 1769. Birth Place: Town of Petra, Mallorca (Majorca), Spain. to be sure that they were treated fairly. He was the first president of the California mission system, and personally founded 9 of the 21 missions. In a little-known historical note, Serra took up collections among his parishes to support the American Revolution, and sent the funds to General George Washington. This is located in one of the five museums at this mission. Political correctness might dictate a different choice today, but nonetheless, it attests to the undisputed impact that Serra had on the state. person and forgiving. (More information here). San Francisco de Asís. Soon he was ordered to "Upper" California and made "president" of a new mission. Missions were crucial to Spanish plans to hold North America's West coast. at all these Indians. Missions founded by Junípero Serra. Father Junípero Serra in a portrait by Father Jose Mosqueda. there, he worked hard, worked 18 hours a day. He was the head of the Spanish mission in California for many years, and he founded the first eight missions. With the sole exception of Mission San Antonio, all of the missions became the nucleus of a surrounding or neighboring town. I will not add to the controversy here. 1776. These nine missions, named below, are part of the chain of 21 missions that stretched for 650 miles along California’s El Camino Real (The Royal Road) . Name taken upon entering the Franciscan Order: Junipero; Juniper was one of St. Francis of Assisi's original companions. Over the years the El Caminio Real gave way to modern highways, primarily Routes 101 and 82. . 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come up with a benevolent, hard-working person who was strict Serra was an 18th century Franciscan friar who founded the first nine missions in California during the era of Spanish colonization. "We know Father Serra's Monuments, statues and plaques throughout the state attest to this fact. San Diego de … Founded as the eighth mission (of twenty-one) in California by Spanish missionaries in 1777, it was the first named for a woman – Saint Clare of Assisi – and founded by Franciscan friar Junipero Serra to convert the native tribes to Catholicism. to the Indians, really, than even to the governors. This was known as Mission San Diego de Alcalá and was located in present-day San Diego. . Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded first by Father Lasuen, but it was abandoned and later refounded by Serra. Pope John Paul II beatified Serra (made him a candidate for sainthood) in 1988. He was born on the Spanish island of Mallorca in 1713 as Miquel Josep Serra Ferrer. Historic Story of Junipero Serra’s Mission For the mission, Father Serra found a fertile and congenial site five miles south of the Monterey presidio, the military installation, along what is now called Rio Road in Carmel. Pilgrimage to the Carmel Mission 1782. He was physically He converted 5,000 Indians during his life and thousands more converted later due to his heroic apostolate. He was an indefatigable explorer, organizer and administrator. The Franciscans were told to take them over. In 1768, he traveled north to California, and founded a string of missions stretching from San Diego to San Francisco. Serra is also responsible for the 21 missions that were eventually established. Founded as the eighth mission (of twenty-one) in California by Spanish missionaries in 1777, it was the first named for a woman – Saint Clare of Assisi – and founded by Franciscan friar Junipero Serra to convert the native tribes to Catholicism. Saint Junípero Serra (1713-1784) Often called the “father of the California Missions,” Junípero Serra did more than any other man to advance the Catholic church and beliefs in California. 1784 At the age of 70, and after traveling 24,000 miles, Father Junípero Serra died at Mission San Carlos Borromeo and is buried there under the sanctuary floor. They wouldn't let them leave the missions. Junípero Serra statue at Mission Santa Barbara Junípero Serra y Ferrer (November 24, 1713 – August 28, 1784) was a Franciscan friar most well known for founding the first 9 California missions. The statue in the photo above is at Mission San Miguel . He became Father-President of the missions after Father Serra. Whether he was a cruel enslaver of natives or a holy and benevolent evangelizer depends a lot on how one views religion in general and the Catholic Church in particular. On August 28, 1784, at the age of 70 and after traveling 24,000 miles, Father Junipero Serra died at Mission San Carlos Borromeo and is buried there under the sanctuary floor. Though this mission was founded after the death of Serra by his successor, his influence is still present. He was much nicer Some may find it incongruous to compare the achievements of St. Junípero Serra with those of the founding fathers. Junipero Serra (1713-1784) A priest in the Franciscan order of the Catholic Church, Junipero Serra was a driving force in the Spanish conquest and colonization of what is now the state of California. A statue of Father Junipero Serra stands in front of the San Gabriel Mission in San Gabriel, California on September 23, 2015. San Antonio de Padua (Jolon) 1771. Then will all the markers, place names and monuments begin to make sense to a visitor to Central California. The 700-mile-long El Camino Real linked California’s 21 missions, which were founded by Father Junipero Serra and spaced one day’s journey apart by horse. Serra is known as the father of the California Missions, and even California’s founding father. It was 35 years to the day that he left Cadiz, Spain for the missions of the new world. The statues are life sized and show the small stature of Serra - he was only 5 feet 2 inches tall. He was an indefatigable explorer, organizer and administrator. ". Serra himself established nine missions, with a total of twenty-one missions eventually being established along the El Camino Real, from San Diego to Sonoma, a distance of 700 miles. He was often required to balance the conflicting demands of the church, the military, and civil authorities (including the Spanish governor). Real estate developer William H. Hannon, to commemorate the founder of the California Missions, placed identical statues at all the missions, schools and other places of historic interest. The US Army now occupies this presidio whose founding dates back to that landing. Father Serra, wanting to lessen this bad influence on his native converts, moved this mission from Monterey to its present location in Carmel. Serra himself established nine missions, with a total of twenty-one missions eventually being established along the El Camino Real, from San Diego to Sonoma, a distance of 700 miles. It shows three Franciscan friars standing watch, with bronze plaques depicting Serra's life. It can be found at the intersection of Artillery and Pacific at one of the entrances of the Presidio of Monterey. St. Junipero Serra (1713-84) is a significant name in California’s history. Spain was unable to appoint many men to the region, which the Russians threatened to occupy. Franciscan priest Father Junipero Serra founded the first mission in 1769. Central California's "Hidden Treasures", "We know Father Serra's 1770. In what way did Junipero Serra try to combat some of the abuse taking place in the missions? in a lot of his doctrinal leanings and things like that, but The statue in the photo above is at Mission San Miguel. Junipero Serra went on to establish eight more missions before his death in 1784. He was a very caring In what way did the Franciscans have a "paternalistic" attitude towards the native Californians? Santa Clara de Asís. Standing on the site of Serra’s former missionary headquarters, the pope reflected on the … Though this mission was founded after the death of Serra by his successor, his influence is still present. not a person who was enslaving Indians, or beating them, ever. get along too well with some of the military people, you know. Current status in the Catholic Church: Father Serra has been declared a "blessed" in 1988 which is the step immediately prior to being canonized or declared a "saint". Education: Theology at Lullian University, Palma, Mallorca, Religious Organization: The Franciscan Order of the Catholic Church, Profession: Catholic priest; professor of theology; presidente of the mission system in Baja California (1750-1768); then presidente and founder (1769-1784) of the mission system in Alta California (present day California). The California missions he established were hardly perfect institutions. Learn more about Serra’s life and work. The missions, like the monasteries of the late Middle Ages (which Saint Francis had reacted against in starting his order), became vast properties where tens of thousands of head of cattle, sheep, and goats and massive acres of grapes for wine-making made the friars rich beyond measure. In 1767, when King Charles III of Spain banished the Jesuits from all Spanish territory, the 14 Jesuit missions in Baja California were suddenly left unstaffed. 9 missions. His energetic nature is shown by his personal motto, “Siempre adelante” (always forward). He personally founded nine of California's 21 Spanish missions and served as president of the California missions from 1767 until he died in 1784. there, he worked hard, worked 18 hours a day. the Department of History at the University of San Diego, © 2011-2018 Discover-Central-California.com
I'm not sure about the artistic merits of this particular statue in San Mateo County, but it does exhibit two notable truths about Padre Serra. Despite all these infirmities, he diligently worked to establish the California missions. He is thus referred to as "Blessed Junipero Serra". 9 missions. life from the time he was born, where he was trained, what he He died in 1784. to the Indians, really, than even to the governors. It was the pontiff’s first visit to the United States, and the first ever canonization on US soil. Carmel was the second of the 21 missions that Franciscans founded in … Franciscan priest Father Junipero Serra founded the first mission in 1769. Early on after arriving in the New World in 1749, he suffered some sort of injury to his leg which continued to plague him throughout his life for the next 35 years. San Diego, he did not want those Indians punished. He was much nicer Saint Junipero Serra, Spanish Franciscan priest whose missionary work among the Indians of North America earned him the title of Apostle of California. Saint Junípero Serra (1713-1784) Serra is known as the father of the California Missions, and even California’s founding father. 1772. The nine missions founded by Junípero Serra in Alta California are: San Diego de Alcalá (1769) thought and what he did. Serra’s remains are interred at Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo. If you would like an interesting reflection on the controversy, click on my California Missions page here. As Junipero and his companions traveled up and down the state, they would note where the conditions were suitable for future foundations: water, soil, proximity to the El Camino Real and population of natives. He was known for his piety, but was also a tireless explorer and a capable administrator. The places you are most likely to see a statue of Padre Serra are at any of the 21 missions in California. In the marble are the Franciscan emblem as well as other motifs. San Buenaventura . Junípero Serra’s lasting legacy is found in the nine missions he established in California between the years 1769 and 1782. He considered his crowning achievement to be the founding of Mission San Buenaventura in 1782 among the Chumash people of the Santa Barbara Channel. . The San Gabriel mission was the fourth mission founded by St. Junípero Serra, a Franciscan priest who founded a trail of missions across California. Junípero Serra’s lasting legacy is found in the nine missions he established in California between the years 1769 and 1782. not a person who was enslaving Indians, or beating them, ever." This was known as Mission San Diego de Alcalá and was located in present-day San Diego. 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