The Apostle to Northern California: Bl. Junipero Serra
In his last moments on earth, Jesus commissioned His
apostles, “Go … and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19), and he
promised that they would be witnesses “to the end of the earth” (Acts
1:8). In the latter half of the eighteenth century, few places were
geographically farther from Judea than Alta, California, and the native
peoples of that region had likely not heard the Gospel message. So it
seemed to be fertile ground for shepherding new souls to the Lord. In
this historical milieu, Bl. Junipero Serra stands as a shining example
of fidelity to the missionary apostolate commanded by Christ.
Miguel Jose Serra was born on the Spanish island of Majorca into genteel surroundings. Yet, the young man’s vocation traversed paths other than expected. Before the age of seventeen, he entered the Franciscan order and his first name was changed to Junipero, in reference to one of St. Francis’s favorite first-generation friars. He progressed quickly in his studies, so quickly, in fact, that he seemed destined to assume a noteworthy post in the Church or in state government. According to this scenario, upon completion of doctoral studies, he began lecturing as a professor of theology, just before his ordination to the priesthood in 1737. The trajectory turned westward, however, in 1749. After more than a decade at the university, Serra determined to leave and serve as a missionary in the new world. His vocation and desire to share the Gospel with those who hadn’t encountered Christ overpowered other inclinations and plans.
To read the rest of this article, visit Crisis Magazine online.
Miguel Jose Serra was born on the Spanish island of Majorca into genteel surroundings. Yet, the young man’s vocation traversed paths other than expected. Before the age of seventeen, he entered the Franciscan order and his first name was changed to Junipero, in reference to one of St. Francis’s favorite first-generation friars. He progressed quickly in his studies, so quickly, in fact, that he seemed destined to assume a noteworthy post in the Church or in state government. According to this scenario, upon completion of doctoral studies, he began lecturing as a professor of theology, just before his ordination to the priesthood in 1737. The trajectory turned westward, however, in 1749. After more than a decade at the university, Serra determined to leave and serve as a missionary in the new world. His vocation and desire to share the Gospel with those who hadn’t encountered Christ overpowered other inclinations and plans.
To read the rest of this article, visit Crisis Magazine online.
