Long Description:"Junípero Serra was born Miquel Josep Serra i Ferrer in Petra,
Majorca, Kingdom of Spain on November 24, 1713. He later took the
name of "Junípero" in honor of Saint Juniper, who had also been a
Franciscan and a follower of Saint Francis. On September 14, 1730
he entered the Order of Friars Minor. For his proficiency in
studies he was appointed lector of philosophy before his ordination
to the priesthood. Later he received a doctorate in theology from
the Lullian University in Palma de Mallorca, where he also occupied
the Duns Scotus chair of philosophy until he joined the missionary
College of San Fernando de Mexico in 1749.
That year he traveled to North America, first to Mexico City,
where he taught. While riding on a mule from Vera Cruz to the
capital, he injured his leg in such a way that he suffered from it
throughout his life, though he continued to make his journeys on
foot whenever possible. He requested a transfer to the Sierra Gorda
Indian Missions some 90 miles north of Santiago de Querétaro where
he spent nine years. During this time, he served as the mission's
superior, learned the language of the Pame Indians, and translated
the catechism into their language. Recalled to Mexico City, he
became famous as a most fervent and effective preacher of missions.
His zeal frequently led him to employ extraordinary means in order
to move the people to penance: he would pound his breast with a
stone while in the pulpit, scourge himself, or apply a lit torch to
his bare chest. He established nine missions.
In 1767, Serra was appointed superior of a band of 15
Franciscans for the Indian Missions of Lower California. The
Franciscans took over the administration of the missions on the
Baja California Peninsula from the Jesuits after King Carlos III
ordered them forcibly expelled from "New Spain" on February 3,
1768. Serra became the "Father Presidente." On March 12, 1768,
Serra embarked from the Pacific port of San Blas on his way to the
Californias. Early in the year 1769, he accompanied Governor Gaspar
de Portolà on his expedition to Nueva California. On the way, he
established the Misión San Fernando Rey de España de Velicatá on
May 14 (the only Franciscan mission in all of Baja California).
When the party reached San Diego on July 1, Serra stayed behind to
start the Mission San Diego de Alcalá, the first of the 21
California missions (including the nearby Visita de la
Presentación, also founded under Serra's leadership) which
accomplished the conversions of all the natives on the coast as far
as Sonoma in the north.
Serra moved to the area which is now Monterey in 1770, and
founded Mission San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo. He remained there
as "Father Presidente" of the Alta California missions. In 1771,
Serra relocated the mission to Carmel, which became known as
"Mission Carmel" and served as his headquarters. Under his
presidency were founded Mission San Antonio de Padua, Mission San
Gabriel Arcángel, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Mission San
Juan Capistrano, Mission San Francisco de Asís, Mission Santa Clara
de Asís, and Mission San Buenaventura. Serra was also present at
the founding of the Presidio of Santa Barbara on 21 April 1782, but
was prevented from locating the mission there because of the
animosity of Governor Felipe de Neve.
In 1773, difficulties with Pedro Fages, the military commander,
compelled Serra to travel to Mexico City to argue before Viceroy
Antonio María de Bucareli y Ursua for the removal of Fages as the
Governor of California Nueva. At the capital of Mexico, by order of
Viceroy Bucareli, he painted up Representación in 32 articles.
Bucareli ruled in Serra's favor on 30 of the 32 charges brought
against Fages, and removed him from office in 1774, after which
time Serra returned to California. In 1778, Serra was given
dispensation to administer the sacrament of confirmation for the
faithful in California. After he had exercised his privilege for a
year, governor Felipe de Neve directed him to suspend administering
the sacrament until he could present the papal brief. For nearly
two years Serra refrained, and then Viceroy Majorga gave
instructions to the effect that Father Serra was within his
rights.
During the remaining three years of his life he once more
visited the missions from San Diego to San Francisco, travelling
more than 600 miles in the process, in order to confirm all who had
been baptized. He suffered intensely from his crippled leg and from
his chest, yet he would use no remedies. He confirmed 5,309
persons, who, with but few exceptions, were Indians {"neophytes")
converted during the 14 years from 1770.
On August 28, 1784, at the age of 70, Fr. Serra died of a snake
bite at Mission Carmel and was buried there under the sanctuary
floor." ("http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junipero_Serra"
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