
What did St Junipero Serra do?
St. Junípero Serra. Written By: St. Junípero Serra, (born November 24, 1713, Petra, Majorca, Spain—died August 28, 1784, Carmel, California, New Spain [now in U.S.]; canonized September 23, 2015; feast day July 1), Spanish Franciscan priest whose missionary work among the Indians of North America earned him the title of Apostle of California.
How much do you know about Junipero Serra?
Canonized By: September 23, 2015, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., by Pope Francis. Take the Saints Trivia Quiz now! Miguel Jose Serra was born on the island of Majorca on November 24, 1713, and took the name of Junipero when in 1730, he entered the Franciscan Order.
Why is Martin Serra a saint?
Serra’s missions helped strengthen Spain’s control of Alta California. Serra was beatified on September 25, 1988. On September 23, 2015, he was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis I in a special mass in Washington, D.C. Serra was a renowned figure in his lifetime.
When was St Serra beatified?
Serra was beatified on September 25, 1988. On September 23, 2015, he was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis I in a special mass in Washington, D.C. Serra was a renowned figure in his lifetime.
See more

What is Saint Junipero Serra known for?
Serra founded several Catholic missions to convert Native Americans in 18th-century California, and he's the first saint to be canonized on US soil.
Was Junipero Serra made a saint?
Serra was beatified on September 25, 1988. On September 23, 2015, he was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis I in a special mass in Washington, D.C. Serra was a renowned figure in his lifetime.
Why did Pope Francis make Junipero Serra a saint?
Francis, the first Latin American pope, advanced the sainthood for Serra because he was “one of the founding fathers of the United States” and a “special patron of the Hispanic people of the country,” the Vatican says.
What did Blessed Junipero Serra do?
Blessed Junipero Serra, O.F.M. was a Spanish Franciscan Friar who founded the first nine of 21 Spanish missions in California, from San Diego to San Francisco. He began in San Diego on July 16, 1769, and established his headquarters in Monterey, California.
How do you pronounce Junipero?
0:150:57How to Pronounce Junipero? (CORRECTLY) Spanish & English ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn english however it is usually pronounced as hunipero hunipero from spanish roni pero did you getMoreIn english however it is usually pronounced as hunipero hunipero from spanish roni pero did you get it was this pronunciation useful let me know in the comments.
What does Junipero mean?
Juniper TreeWhat is the meaning of the name Junipero? The name Junipero is primarily a male name of Spanish origin that means Juniper Tree.
Why is the pope in a wheelchair?
Francis, 85, is using a wheelchair occasionally during the visit because of a knee problem.
Why did the pope have colon surgery?
According to the Vatican, Pope Francis had the left part of his bowel removed in a three-hour operation Sunday at a Rome hospital. Officials said it was required because the pope's bowel had narrowed. Dr.
What does De canonized mean?
Decanonization or de-canonization (prefix de- ← Latin: de preposition: down, from, away + Latin: canonizatio ← Greek: κανών — list, catalog) — exclusion of a person's name from the list, catalog; the opposite of canonization. The list or catalog is the calendar of the saints or the church calendar.
Why was Junipero Serra statue taken down?
Statues of Father Junipero Serra are being taken down or torn down due to his historical involvement in enslaving and killing the native people of California.
What was Junipero Serra's favorite mission?
Carmel MissionJunipero Serra was a controversial figure, but still is honored as the Father of the California Missions. He was buried in his favorite mission, Carmel Mission, formally called San Carlos Borreomeo.
Why was Junipero Serra statue torn down?
Legislative leaders removed the statue of Columbus because they said it was out of place “given the deadly impact his arrival in this hemisphere had on Indigenous populations.”
Is Junipero Serra still a saint?
Serra was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 25 September 1988 in Vatican City....Junípero Serra.Saint Junípero Serra O.F.M.CanonizedSeptember 23, 2015, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception by Pope Francis9 more rows
Why was Junipero Serra statue taken down?
Statues of Father Junipero Serra are being taken down or torn down due to his historical involvement in enslaving and killing the native people of California.
Why was Junipero Serra statue torn down?
Legislative leaders removed the statue of Columbus because they said it was out of place “given the deadly impact his arrival in this hemisphere had on Indigenous populations.”
What happened to the statue of Junipero Serra?
Erected more than 50 years ago, the statue of Father Junipero Serra was forcefully toppled by racial justice protesters in July 2020 and has been in storage since. The legislation, which officially removes the statue of Serra, was signed by Gov.
Where did Junipero Serra work?from biography.com
Junipero Serra spent his early career as a Franciscan educator in Palma, Spain. He was in his thirties when he heeded the call to become a missionary. First he worked to spread the word of God in Mexico in 1750s and 1760s before moving to present-day California. Serra established nine missions there from 1769 to 1782.
How old was Serra when he joined the priesthood?from biography.com
Serra was only 15 years old when he decided to join the priesthood. He moved to Palma to pursue his goal. Serra then became a novice at the Convento de Jesus in September 1730. There he study theology and philosophy.
What did Serra do in 1751?from biography.com
Serra preached to the native people and sought ways to improve the area's economy. During the late 1750s into the 1760s, Serra played many different roles at the College of San Fernando.
What did Serra do for Native Americans?from biography.com
Serra spent the rest of his life devoted to his evangelical work in the region. In trying to bring his religion to the Native Americans sometimes led to clashes with his own government. He clashed with Spanish authorities over the way soldiers treated the native peoples. While he advocated on behalf of native peoples, Serra also sought to correct them when they broke the rules as well. He supported the use of corporal punishment for offenses.
Why did Pope Francis say that Serra was important?from biography.com
Pope Francis told the thousands who attended the mass that Serra "sought to defend the dignity of the native community, to protect it from those who had mistreated and abused it. Mistreatment and wrongs which today still trouble us, especially because of the hurt which they cause in the lives of many people.".
Why did Serra clash with Spanish authorities?from biography.com
In trying to bring his religion to the Native Americans sometimes led to clashes with his own government. He clashed with Spanish authorities over the way soldiers treated the native peoples. While he advocated on behalf of native peoples, Serra also sought to correct them when they broke the rules as well.
What is the significance of Serra's death?from biography.com
After his death, Serra was remembered for his dedication to his faith and for bringing Catholicism to California. Beginning in the 1940s, a movement began to have him canonized. Pope John Paul II beatified Serra in 1988, giving him the title of "Blessed.".
Where is the statue of Junipero Serra?
Jul 1, 2020. Franciscan Media. Image: Bronze statue of Saint Junipero Serra by sculptor Arthur Putnam stands on the grounds of the Presidio Hill in San Diego. (CNS photo/ Nancy Wiechec)
Why was Junipero so famous?
Junipero’s desire was to convert native peoples in the New World.
What word best describes Junipero?
The word that best describes Junipero is zeal. It was a spirit that came from his deep prayer and dauntless will. “Always forward, never back” was his motto. His work bore fruit for 50 years after his death as the rest of the missions were founded in a kind of Christian communal living by the Indians. When both Mexican and American greed caused the secularization of the missions, the Chumash people went back to what they had been—God again writing straight with crooked lines.
Why did Junipero go to Mexico City?
Junipero made the long trip to Mexico City to settle great differences with the military commander. He arrived at the point of death. The outcome was substantially what Junipero sought: the famous “Regulation” protecting the Indians and the missions.
How many people did Junipero baptize?
Through it all his unquenchable zeal was fed by prayer each night, often from midnight till dawn. He baptized over 6,000 people and confirmed 5,000.
What is the name of the mission San Juan Capistrano is famous for?
That year a gray-robed Franciscan founded Mission San Juan Capistrano, now famous for its annually returning swallows.
Where did Junipero set out?
José de Galvez persuaded Junipero to set out with him for present-day Monterey, California. The first mission founded after the 900-mile journey north was San Diego in 1769. That year a shortage of food almost canceled the expedition.
What was Miguel Jose Serra's last vows?
The Franciscan way surrounded his childhood and soon became his own way of life. On September 15, 1731 Miguel Jose took his final vows, with in a Franciscan order , and chose the name Junipero.
How many missions did Serra do?
Through the grace of the Holy Spirit and many years of hard labor, Serra established nine missions, which spread over the east coast of modern day California. His devotion to God, preaching the gospel, as well as his zeal for evangelization, is what defined his sainthood and makes him the ideal patron Saint for the Institute.
Why did Junipero learn the Otomi language?
St. Junipero dedicated time to learn the Otomi language in order to better serve the community and further strengthen his call to evangelic work.
When was Junipero Serra canonized?
On September 25, 1988 he was beatified by Pope John Paul II. Pope Francis canonized Junipero Serra on September 23, 2015. during a Mass in Washington, DC. Serra monuments and memorials dot his Camino Real from Majorca to California. He is the subject of several dozen biographies in various languages.
What was Serra's first affliction?
His first affliction was the swelling and painful itching of his feet and legs from mosquito bites which caused varicose ulcers. At times he could neither stand nor walk. After 1758 he began to suffer from asthma. In character Serra was eager, optimistic, zealous, dynamic, even adamantine.
What language did Serra learn?
Serra learned the Otomí language and used a visual method of teaching religion. Zealous in preaching and in promoting both liturgical and popular devotions, he succeeded in bringing the Pame people to practice the faith in an exemplary way.
Where did Serra study philosophy?
He chose the name Junípero in memory of the brother companion of St. Francis. He studied philosophy and theology at the Convento de San Francisco.
Where did Serra go to school?
He studied philosophy and theology at the Convento de San Francisco. The date of his ordination to the priesthood is not known, though it probably occurred during the Ember Days of December 1738. Serra obtained his doctorate in theology in 1742 from the Lullian University, Palma.
What was the cause of Serra's beatification?
Serra was considered by some too aggressive, zealous, and demanding. Though he defended the Indians, he had a paternalistic view and believed in and practiced corporal punishment. The cause for Serra’s beatification began in the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno in 1934, and the diocesan process was finished in 1949.
How tall was Serra?
Serra was small of stature, five feet two inches in height. He had a sonorous voice, swarthy skin, dark hair and eyes. Though it appears that he had a fundamentally robust constitution, he suffered a great deal during the latter part of his life.
When was Junipero Serra canonized?
St Junipero Serra was canonized on September 23 2015 by Pope Francis at Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception when the Pope visited the United States for the first time.
What mountain is Junipero Serra?
Junipero Serra Peak of the Santa Lucia Mountains
How did Junipero Serra die?
St Junipero Serra, having served in California for fourteen years died on August 28 1784, at the age of 70, at Mission San Carlos Borromeo from tuberculosis.
What did Serra report to the Spanish Inquisition in Mexico City?
Serra reported to the Spanish Inquisition in Mexico City from Jalpan, in September 1752, that there was overwhelming evidences of sorcery, witchcraft and devil worship in the Sierra Gorda missions.
What is Serra International?
There is a global lay organization called Serra International, that aims to promote religious vocations to the Catholic Church. It was named in his honor after it was founded in 1935. It boasts a membership of about 20,000 people worldwidewith a prescence in 44 countries.
Where is Jalpan de Serra located?
Jalpan de Serra is a town in Jalpan de Serra Municipality located in the north of the state of Querétaro, Mexico. It is located in the heart of an important ecological zone called the Sierra Gorda
Why did Serra go to Upper California?
His aim was to Christianize the Indian populations and get hold of Upper California so as to prevent Russian explorations and any possible claim of the region by North America.
Where did Junipero Serra work?
Junipero Serra spent his early career as a Franciscan educator in Palma, Spain. He was in his thirties when he heeded the call to become a missionary. First he worked to spread the word of God in Mexico in 1750s and 1760s before moving to present-day California. Serra established nine missions there from 1769 to 1782.
How old was Serra when he joined the priesthood?
Serra was only 15 years old when he decided to join the priesthood. He moved to Palma to pursue his goal. Serra then became a novice at the Convento de Jesus in September 1730. There he study theology and philosophy.
What did Serra do in 1751?
Serra preached to the native people and sought ways to improve the area's economy. During the late 1750s into the 1760s, Serra played many different roles at the College of San Fernando.
What did Serra do for Native Americans?
Serra spent the rest of his life devoted to his evangelical work in the region. In trying to bring his religion to the Native Americans sometimes led to clashes with his own government. He clashed with Spanish authorities over the way soldiers treated the native peoples. While he advocated on behalf of native peoples, Serra also sought to correct them when they broke the rules as well. He supported the use of corporal punishment for offenses.
Why did Pope Francis say that Serra was important?
Pope Francis told the thousands who attended the mass that Serra "sought to defend the dignity of the native community, to protect it from those who had mistreated and abused it. Mistreatment and wrongs which today still trouble us, especially because of the hurt which they cause in the lives of many people.".
Why did Serra clash with Spanish authorities?
In trying to bring his religion to the Native Americans sometimes led to clashes with his own government. He clashed with Spanish authorities over the way soldiers treated the native peoples. While he advocated on behalf of native peoples, Serra also sought to correct them when they broke the rules as well.
What is the significance of Serra's death?
After his death, Serra was remembered for his dedication to his faith and for bringing Catholicism to California. Beginning in the 1940s, a movement began to have him canonized. Pope John Paul II beatified Serra in 1988, giving him the title of "Blessed.".
