Father Serra is important for the history of California and also for the United States of America. During the American Revolution, a group of untrained farmers fought and beat the strongest army and navy in the world.
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What is Father Serra best known for?
He is credited with establishing the Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What was Father Serra's motto?
Siempre Adelante, Nunca AtrasSerra's motto is “Siempre Adelante, Nunca Atras,” a Spanish phrase that translates to “Always forward, never back.” The Franciscan friar founded several California missions, including the San Juan Capistrano mission, and was canonized by Pope Francis during his visit to the United States last month.
What miracles did Junipero Serra do?
Serra's alleged miracle was certified because a St. Louis nun was reportedly healed of lupus—a chronic, usually ulcerating skin disease, of which there are various types—after praying to the friar. This led to Serra's beatification (a step before sainthood) in 1987.
What were Junipero Serra's major accomplishments?
In the 1700s, Serra founded nine missions for Spain in what is now California. In doing so, Serra helped give rise to the cities that would later become San Diego and San Francisco, and (controversially) baptized thousands of Native Americans. His sainthood is nearly 300 years in the making.
What is an interesting fact about Father Serra?
In 2015 he became the first saint of the Roman Catholic Church to be canonized in the United States. After entering the Franciscan Order in 1730 and being ordained in 1738, Serra taught philosophy at Lullian University (Palma, Majorca).
What year was the first mission founded?
1769Mission San Diego de AlcaláNickname(s)"Mother of the Alta California Missions"Founding dateJuly 16, 1769Founding priest(s)Father Presidente Junípero SerraBuilt1769U.S. National Register of Historic Places42 more rows
What means beatified?
to make supremely happyDefinition of beatify transitive verb. 1 : to make supremely happy. 2 Christianity : to declare to have attained the blessedness of heaven and authorize the title "Blessed" and limited public religious honor She was beatified six years after her death.
Why was Father Serra statue taken 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 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.
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.
Who founded the first 9 missions of California?
Serra established his first mission in San Fernando de Velicatá in May 1769. Moving further north, he founded another mission in San Diego, first of nine missions he created in what is present-day California, that July.
Who started the missions?
Junipero Serra, a Franciscan Friar, led the establishment of the first nine missions in Alta (Upper) California, playing a key role in their construction, institution, and administration.
Why was Father Serra statue taken 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 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.
What is the mission in California?
The California missions began in the late 18th century as an effort to convert Native Americans to Catholicism and expand European territory. Spain was responsible for the missions, which scholars believe were attempts to colonize the Pacific coast of North America.
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 was the mission of Serra?
From 1770 to 1782 he founded eight more Californian missions: Carmel, his headquarters, at Monterey, in 1770; San Antonioand San Gabriel(near Los Angeles), 1771; San Luis Obispo, 1772; San Francisco(Mission Dolores) and San Juan Capistrano, 1776; Santa Clara, 1777; and San Buenaventura, 1782. Serra’s missions helped strengthen Spain’s control of Alta California. Serra was beatifiedon September 25, 1988. On September 23, 2015, he was canonizedas a saint by Pope Francis Iin a special massin Washington, D.C.
Where did Serra teach philosophy?
After entering the Franciscan Order in 1730 and being ordained in 1738, Serra taught philosophyat Lullian University (Palma, Majorca). In 1750 he arrived in Mexico Cityfor missionarywork among the Indians, serving first in the Sierra Gorda missionsfrom 1750 to 1758 and then in south-central Mexico from 1758 to 1767.
What did Serra introduce to the Indians?
His advocates claim that he was a strenuous defender of the Indians and introduced to their lands the cattle, sheep, grains, and fruits of Mexico.
Where did Serra work?
In 1750 he arrived in Mexico City for missionary work among the Indians, serving first in the Sierra Gorda missions from 1750 to 1758 and then in south-central Mexico from 1758 to 1767. When Spain began its occupation of Alta California (present-day California ), Serra joined the expedition’s commander, Gaspar de Portolá.
How many missions did the Franciscans have?
The Franciscans, led by Junípero Serra, established 21 missions in California, including two in the Los Angeles area: San Gabriel (1771) and San Fernando (1797).…
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.
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.".
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.
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.
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.".
What did Father Serra teach the native people?
Father Serra agreed to travel to Alta California and make the initial encounter with the native people and teach them about Catholicism. He also agreed to teach them about farming and the Spanish way of life.
Why did Father Serra travel to the Americas?
It is why he traveled to the Americas and he was determined to build missions and spread his religion. The first mission Father Serra founded in California was San Diego de Alcalá in 1769. For the next 15 years he traveled up and down the California coast and founded eight more missions.
What happened to Serra's leg?
During this journey, an insect bit Serra and his leg became very inflamed. Since he did not believe in using medicine, the wound didn’t heal and hurt Serra for the rest of his life. Serra spent eight years working as a missionary among the Pame Indians about 200 miles north of Mexico City.
Why did Serra leave the US?
Similar to the St. Francis who abandoned his wealth to help the poor, Serra left his comfortable life to travel to the Americas to become a missionary. A missionary is a person sent on a religious mission, especially one to promote Christianity in a foreign country.
Where did Miquel José Serra go to school?
On Nov. 24, 1713, Miquel José Serra was born in the island town of Petra, Mallorca, off the coast of Spain. His parents were deeply religious and Miquel attended a Catholic school in town run by members of the Franciscan order. The Franciscans were founded by St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis was known for his devotion to the poor. Miquel was a bright boy and his teachers encouraged him to further his studies in the capital city, Palma. There Serra flourished and through studying and working at the cathedral decided to join the Franciscans and study to become a priest. As a way to emphasize that he was undertaking a new way of life, he decided to take a new name. Miguel chose Junípero, in honor of one of the first companions of St. Francis.
How did Father Serra earn their trust?
Father Serra tried to earn their trust by giving them food and showing them beautiful paintings that depicted Catholic saints. He hoped they would learn that the message of Christianity was a good one and would help them. Father Serra’s intent was never to harm or hurt the native people.
How long did Father Serra live in Mexico?
They had their own languages and customs and had lived on the land for thousands of years. After Father Serra had been in Mexico for 18 years, the Spanish government decided that it wanted to settle more Spanish people in these areas.
What did Serra's defenders say about the missionaries?
There is evidence of beatings, imprisonment and other abuse at the hands of the missionaries. Serra defenders say it's unfair to judge him by 21st-century standards. They say he frequently pleaded for more merciful treatment for the Native Americans under their control.
Where is the statue of Junipero Serra?
A vandalized statue of St. Junipero Serra in San Francisco is seen June 19, 2020. The Spanish Franciscan founded several missions in what is now California. (CNS photo/David Zandman via Reuters)
Where was the Serra statue toppled?
And by Saturday afternoon another Serra statue was toppled at Placita Olvera in downtown Los Angeles.
Who signed the letter removing the Serra statue?
In Ventura, the letter announcing the removal of the Serra statue was signed by Mayor Matt LaVere ; Father Tom Elewaut, pastor at the San Buenaventura Mission Church; and Julie Tumamait Stenslie, tribal chair of Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians (Chumash).
Who led the Catholic Church's missionary efforts among Native Americans on the West Coast?
In light of these nationwide events, Californians are once again re-evaluating their statues of Serra — who led the Catholic Church's missionary efforts among Native Americans on the West Coast.
Is the Serra statue in Ventura removed?
Meanwhile, in the city of Ventura, the mayor, a pastor and a tribal leader announced in a letter that a statue of Serra near Ventura City Hall would be removed. This announcement was made after an online petition demanded the statue be taken down. "Serra is not the historical hero people thought when this landmark statue to him was erected, ...
What did Serra hope for?
He hoped that by the time Spaniards came in large numbers, Native Americans would be educated and competent to deal with it. That was the dream, but the dream never came true.”. The biggest philosophical divide among serious historians is whether Serra’s initiative was worth undertaking in the first place.
Why did Serra's mission only arose?
Serra’s mandate only arose because the Vatican temporarily disbanded the Jesuits in 1767, and many of the mistakes he and the Franciscans made were the result of inexperience, according to Professor Starr.
How many miracles has Serra been credited with?
Serra has been credited with only one .
What was Valentin Lopez's mission system?
The mission system he set up was based on coercion, punishment and indifference to Indian suffering, against which his expressions of piety were no more than window-dressing.
What was the significance of Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson?
Helen Hunt Jackson’s 1884 bestselling novel Ramona set the tone for a mythologised history of the Missions, giving the impression Spanish colonialism had been an idyll for settlers and Native Americans alike and that the natives only suffered after the gringos began arriving. Even the most ardent Catholic historians now accept this is flat-out wrong.
Was Serra a missionary?
The Vatican would like to believe that Serra and the missionaries were somehow separate from the Spanish colonial enterprise, and that the army’s abuses should not in any way be laid at Serra’s door. Pope Francis said in May that Serra was one of a generation of missionaries “who … defended the indigenous peoples against abuses by the colonisers”.
Did Serra travel to the New World?
While it’s true that Serra was often at odds with military commanders in the region, he travelled to the New World at the behest and direction of the same Spanish crown in command of the army. He couldn’t be against the colonisers, because he was one himself.
Synopsis
Early Life
- Born on November 24, 1713, on the Spanish island of Majorca, Junipero Serra came from humble beginnings. His parents, Antonio Nadal Serra and Margarita Rosa Ferrer, spent their lives working the land in the town of Petra. They had him baptized on his first day in the world, giving him the name Miguel Jose. He was later educated by Franciscan monks at a local primary school. Serra …
Missionary in Mexico
- In 1749, Serra took on a new challenge—bringing his faith to the New World as a missionary. He traveled first to Mexico with a former student, Francisco Palóu. Serra landed in Vera Cruz and walked 250 miles to Mexico City. Along the way, he suffered an injury to his leg, which would cause him pain the rest of his days. Serra joined College of San Fernando, a missionary school i…
California Missions
- Serra established his first mission in San Fernando de Velicatá in May 1769. Moving further north, he founded another mission in San Diego, first of nine missions he created in what is present-day California, that July. 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 gover…
Controversy Over Sainthood
- In 2015, Pope Francis made Junipero Serra a saint during his first visit to the United States. A special mass was held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on September 23. This service marked the country's first canonization. Pope Francis told the thousands who attended the mass that Serra "sought to defend the dignity of th…
Overview
Junípero Serra y Ferrer O.F.M. was a Spanish Roman Catholic priest and missionary of the Franciscan Order. He is credited with establishing the Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He later founded a mission in Baja California and the first nine of 21 Spanish missions in California from San Diego to San Francisco, in what was then Spanish-occupied Alta …
President of missions of the Californias
Into the vacuum created by the Jesuits' expulsion from Mexico, stepped Franciscan missionaries. 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. Jesuit priests had developed 13 missions on that long and arid pen…
Early life
Serra was born Miquel Josep Serra i Ferrer (this name is Catalan, in Castilian it is Miguel José Serra Ferrer) in the village of Petra on the island of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands off the Mediterranean coast of Spain. His father Antonio Nadal Serra and mother Margarita Rosa Ferrer were married in 1707.
By age seven, Miquel was working the fields with his parents, helping cultivate …
Ministry in the Americas
In 1749, Serra and the Franciscan missionary team landed in Veracruz, on the Gulf coast of New Spain (now Mexico). To get from Veracruz to Mexico City, Serra and his Franciscan companions took the Camino Real (English: royal path), a rough road stretching from sea level through tropical forests, dry plains, high plateaus and volcanic sierra mountains to an altitude of 7400 feet (2250 …
Treatment of Native Californians
From his perspective, Serra's singular purpose was to save the souls of indigenous Americans. He believed that the death of an unconverted heathen was tragic, while the death of a baptized convert was a cause for joy. He maintained a patriarchal or fatherly attitude towards the Native American population. He wrote, "That spiritual fathers should punish their sons, the India…
Death
During the remaining three years of his life, he once more visited the missions from San Diego to San Francisco, traveling more than 600 miles in the process, to confirm all who had been baptized. He suffered intensely from his disabled leg and from his chest, yet he would use no remedies. He confirmed 5,309 people, who, with but few exceptions, were California Indian neophytes conver…
Legacy
Many of Serra's letters and other documentation are extant, the principal ones being his "Diario" of the journey from Loreto to San Diego, which was published in Out West (March to June 1902) along with Serra's Representación.
The Junípero Serra Collection (1713–1947) at the Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library are their earliest archival materials. This library is part of the bu…
In popular culture
Robert A. Heinlein featured Serra in his serialized short fiction Lost Legacy first published in November 1941 in Super Science Stories edited by Frederick Pohl. The story is about a cache of ancient knowledge fictitiously discovered by Serra on Mt. Shasta. The fiction also features as a character Ambrose Bierce, the famous writer who disappeared and was declared dead in 1913 at age 72.