Father Junipero Serra
Father Serra, who became the founder of the California Missions, was born in 1713 on the island of Majorca, Spain. He joined the Franciscan Order and took the name Junipero after Saint Juniper, a companion of Saint Francis. Father Serra received a doctorate in theology from the Lullian University in Palma de Majorca, where he also occupied a chair in philosophy until he joined the missionary.
In 1749, Father Serra decided to become a missionary in the New World and traveled with several Franciscan monks to Mexico, where he joined a college in the capital. He arrived in Veracruz and was offered a mule for the journey to the capital, but Father Serra preferred to walk, so he refused the offer and set out on foot. Unfortunately, he was bitten by a snake while on this journey and would suffer serious pain and a crippled leg as a result. After teaching in the capital for several years, he transferred to the Sierra Gorda Indian Missions where he spent about nine years. During this time he learned the Pame language and translated the catechism to this language. Father Serra also spent some time in Baja California, where he founded that state's only Franciscan mission.
In 1749, Father Serra decided to become a missionary in the New World and traveled with several Franciscan monks to Mexico, where he joined a college in the capital. He arrived in Veracruz and was offered a mule for the journey to the capital, but Father Serra preferred to walk, so he refused the offer and set out on foot. Unfortunately, he was bitten by a snake while on this journey and would suffer serious pain and a crippled leg as a result. After teaching in the capital for several years, he transferred to the Sierra Gorda Indian Missions where he spent about nine years. During this time he learned the Pame language and translated the catechism to this language. Father Serra also spent some time in Baja California, where he founded that state's only Franciscan mission.
Mission San Diego de Alcala
Later, Father Serra was appointed to the post of presidente, with responsibility for establishing a chain of missions in Alta (upper) California, the present day state of California. In 1769, Father Serra joined an expedition to Alta California. When the expedition reached San Diego, Father Serra stayed on and founded Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first of the California missions.
Father Serra
Wikipedia is the source for much of the above information and all photos. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jun%C3%ADpero_Serra
Next Sunday, Chapter Three will cover the purpose of the 21 California missions, building the missions, and maintaining them.
I especially like the one with all the bells, these missions are wonderful and 300 years ago? wow.
ReplyDeleteThis is a FASCINATING subject--thank you!!
ReplyDeletei love the 5 bells in the tower. i don't like the self-flogging habit, though. :)
ReplyDeleteA wonderful history here, Inger. Part of the U.S. that I haven't visited.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the history - very interesting.
ReplyDeleteDear Inger, truly I never knew any of this about Father Junipero Serra. All I knew was that he'd founded the missions in California.
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing about "disciplining" himself (that's what the lashing and beating himself with rocks is called) always bothers me when I read it. But so many people now called "saints" did that "to mortify their flesh." The Catholic Church has always had a hard time with "flesh" and "sexuality."
Even a man of the twentieth century who is being considered for sainthood by the Church practiced "mortification." That's Matt Talbot of Ireland.
On a cheerier note: thank you for explaining about the first mission Father Junipero Serra built and then how the others started. He must has asked the natives there to do the building. I wonder if he paid them in food or lodging or what?
This is all so interesting. Peace.
I will write about the building of the missions next Sunday. I hope to find some answers to how it was done. Few trees here in So. California at the time. And they are such massive structures, some of them.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, nice of you to research all this then feed it to us in a nutshell. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteFather Serra sounds like he was a good man but I find it sad that anyone thinks they should practice self-flagellation. It sounds so wrong to me.
ReplyDeleteVad intressant med fina bilder...ser fram emot fortsättning
ReplyDeleteStories like these have always fascinated me. These men (and women) were so strong in their beliefs that they were able to endure a lot of suffering in the process.
ReplyDeleteI remain skeptical however about their purpose and intent to force a mysterious religion/faith on the native peoples of the world, who already had their own beliefs which worked very well for centuries.
It's a long-held dream to visit the missions in California. Each seems so special, so peaceful, so imbued with purpose. Thank you for this lovely post, Inger, and for the chance to learn about Father Serra. The flogging? Think that was a bit much, but there are some who still do that. To each his own, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the post, Inger. Dee suggested I might enjoy the post. I am a California history enthusiast and love the missions. I have lived in San Gabriel my whole life, so the missions are a major source of joy for me. I posted last week on the Santa Barbara Presidio, which you might enjoy. I think we have some common interests, so I'm very pleased to be introduced to your wonderful blog. If you'd like to see my "presidio post" it's at http://breathelighter.wordpress.com/2012/10/10/a-santa-barbara-fortress-to-keep-france-and-england-from-knocking-on-californias-door-now-isnt-that-something/ :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful buildings!! Father Serra certainly was faithful to what he believed.
ReplyDeleteI love the Mission San Carlos Borromeo.. What character here! Beautiful, beautiful!