After serving as a missionary and teacher in Mexico for two decades, he was appointed the first presidente of the missions that the king of Spain, Carlos III, wanted established in what is now the state of California. When he embarked on his missionary voyage to the New World in 1749, at the age of 35, he carried only two books with him — the Bible and Sor María’s “The Mystical City of God.”. Mass at Mission San Diego for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. www.catholicnewsagency.com/amp/news/southern-california-catholics-pray-for-kidnapped-bishop-moses... www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-proclaims-year-of-st-joseph.html. Stories of the Franciscan missions and New World missionaries like St. Francis Solanus and Venerable Antonio Margil were the “stuff” of popular books and preaching. But let me try to suggest a few conclusions. But it should also send a message. The first is a Bronze Statue located across the street from the front entrance to City Let's all join together.. But in its 32 articles, Father Serra provides detailed practical proposals that cover virtually every aspect of government and community life — from education and communications to military defense and foreign relations; from agriculture and the economy to weights and measures, and trade. www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-12/pope-francis-proclaims-year-of-st-joseph.html ... Pope Francis proclaims “Year of St Joseph” - Vatican News. It's also a delightful honor to be with Fr. (and the reasons why...) Mass at the Mission for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time.youtu.be/jguNXLUm5kg ... Post of thanks from our new Associate Pastor Fr. It was lovely just like she was. Peter M. Escalante is the celebrant and homilist. Father Serra’s Love for His Spiritual Children. There were only four on our side against more than 20 on theirs. ... Beautiful service & Linda was a beautiful woman & a friend to so many! For all his words about their gentleness and kindness, his writings also document many menacing encounters with the native peoples. White notes that “Fr. These words are both an inspiring summation of Father Serra’s sense of his missionary vocation and a call to the Church today to follow his example: “Let us make good use of time. Rev. Happy birthday father & welcome to San Diego! The celebrant and homilist is Fr. Serra moved the Mission to Carmel. In his letters, he writes of their “gentleness and peaceful dispositions,” he records their acts of kindness and generosity toward him. Serra is somewhat unique in being regarded not only as a religious figure, but also as the "Founder of California" - a pioneer of pioneers. For those of us from America, the canonization holds a rich symbolism and spiritual significance — it is even more powerful and more personal for those of us who are Hispanic and Mexican. Let me close with some final words from this new saint of Pope Francis. Yesterday was his birthday! As we know, the pope’s announcement has opened old wounds and revived bitter memories about the treatment of Native Americans during the colonial and missionary period of America’s history. Finally, Father Serra teaches us that the Church’s mission of evangelization is a mission of mercy. Mass at the Mission for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time. We still have to work out that vision, but I believe Father Serra would have us working to build an America that promotes the encounter of cultures and seeks to protect the sanctity and dignity of the human person. When Pope Francis canonized Serra during his 2015 U.S. visit, making Serra the first Hispanic saint to minister in the continental U.S., the mission held a major celebration. Wednesday night, the Pope will hold a mass to declare father Junipero Serra a saint. He did not idealize or romanticize the people he came to serve. As Pope Francis pointed out in his homily at Serra's canonization here on campus: "A Christian finds joy in mission: so go out to people of every nation!" It is clear that Pope Francis — the first pope from the New World — understands the Christian “roots” of the Americas and the continent’s importance for the Church’s mission in the 21st century. And may all the glory be to our Great God.”, [For more on Archbishop Gomez’ talk, go to the Los Angeles Tidings Online Website:  http://www.angelusnews.com/voices/archbishop-gomez/the-spiritual-discovery-of-the-new-world-7874/#.VVJMR_lViko], 10818 San Diego Mission Road Hope to soon. At the time, the Spanish government and the Catholic Church were working side by side; therefore, to occupy this new land (California), the Spanish sent missionaries to start up missions. And like many young priests of his generation, Father Serra’s mission was inspired and formed by the experience and writings of the Franciscan Sister María de Ágreda. What did the missions look like? Love and prayers to her family. Thank you all for the Happy Birthday greetings! Happy birthday Father. All of these ideas would later come to define Father Serra’s own thinking and missionary practice. Junipero Serra - Spanish missionary who founded Franciscan missions in California Miguel Please watch to get the latest information. Against the backdrop of these profound changes and challenges in American life, Father Serra’s canonization is providential. A certain Walt Disney effect, pointing out ridiculously to the Pacific Ocean, This huge cartoonish statue of the Franciscan friar Junípero Serra, erected along a stretch of Interstate 280 (also known as the Junípero Serra Freeway), rises out of the landscape and is unmissable. Using a missionary strategy that had been developed in Mexico, Serra envisioned the missions as centers of evangelization for the Amerindian population of California. Her “bilocations” were widely reported. In the 1700s, Spain had control of what is now Mexico and wanted to occupy what is now California so that the Russians wouldn't take the land. In a letter to the Holy Father dated December 12, 2014, the Minister General of … It then became Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Rio Carmelo. All of his writings reflect genuine respect for the indigenous people and their ways. please share For example, bows and arrows were simply no match for swords and guns; such domination would have occurred regardless of the group - British, Russian, or American - that came to California. There is so much more to say! Junipero Serra, pray for this land that you helped to found." Surrounded by violence and bloodshed, staring his own death in the face — his only concern is for the souls of the people who are trying to kill him, the native people he came to the New World to evangelize. And there I was with the dead man, thinking most probably I would soon have to follow him, but at the same time praying to God that the victory would be for our Catholic faith without losing a single soul.”. He never engaged in theological and moral debates in the royal courts, as de las Casas did. There is actually an icon of Serra that shows him carrying an image of … What is the significance of Serra's canonization? Junipero Serra Statue: Visit to Junipero Serra Statue - See 26 traveler reviews, 6 candid photos, and great deals for San Mateo, CA, at Tripadvisor. As we can see, Father Serra’s witness is reflected in some of the key themes of Pope Francis’ pontificate — especially the themes of mercy and missionary discipleship. When he is declared a saint later this year, Father Serra will be the latest in a line of “missionary saints” from the Americas that Pope Francis has elevated during his pontificate. Merry Christmas! The missionary, she said, follows the “vocation of the Apostle” in “imitation of the Master.” Father Serra helps us to appreciate in a new way that the missionaries were America’s true “founders.” In him we see that America’s origins were not about politics, conquest or plunder. Happy Birthday! In addition to the general lack of medical knowledge and treatment in the 18th century, Amerindians had no immunity to many common European diseases such as measles, influenza, and small pox. One way to think about him is that he was a kind of “working class” missionary — a guy who tried to get things done. A mission, San Fernando de Velicata, was founded in Baja or Lower California as part of the expedition to establish the Alta California missions. Father Serra came to this New World with a burning love for the land and its people. The missions were established as Christian communities, where Amerindians could learn and practice the Catholic faith. For practical purposes, the missions needed to be as self-sufficient as possible, since supplies from Mexico arrived only infrequently. Amen 14 posted on 07/01/2009 2:13:36 PM PDT by Salvation (With God all things are possible.) San Diego, CA 92108, (619) 283-7319 Office Glad I could be there to celebrate such a wonderful faithful servant of God. Peter has added some updated information about the Mass schedule and a time change of Confessions. His canonization should sound a call for America to return to its deep religious and intercultural roots — as a nation born from the universal mission of the Catholic Church and the encounter of the Gospel with the first nations, cultures and peoples found in this land. God bless you Linda Grosso! by Kevin Jones Denver Newsroom, Jul 21, 2020 / 05:40 pm MT (CNA).- A proposal to remove St. Junipero Serra from Ventura County’s official seal is unwarranted, and elected officials need to know Serra’s true story, according to the priest who heads the final mission the sainted Spanish missionary founded in California. His birthplace of Mallorca was a leading Franciscan missionary center. Unfortunately, a lot of the arguments out there resort to old stereotypes that can be traced back to the anti-Spanish and anti-Catholic propaganda of the “black legend.” Even in the best scholarly writing, we can detect strong prejudice against Catholic beliefs and deep skepticism about the Church’s missionary project. For the Church, these lands — from the top of what is now Canada to the tip of what is now Argentina — were the Mundus Novus. Father Serra’s Missionary Vocation and the ‘Spiritual Project’ of America I want to begin by placing Father Serra in his historical context. It was founded on July 16, 1769 by Father Junipero Serra. So it is fitting that Junípero Serra will be remembered as a saint of Pope Francis. We were so fortunate to be able to have a funeral mass for her. PROJ-14599 HPC/07/01/2020 Page 1 of 2 ` PROJECT DESCRIPTION Discussion of the landmark status of the 1989 Father Serra Statue located in front of City This item is informational, to clarify the public record that 2. First, the Father Serra of history that we have been talking about is far different than the Father Serra we often read about in the newspapers and even in the pages of the historians. Why did some people protest Serra's canonization? In our secular, “post-Christian” age, it is perhaps an inconvenient truth to remember that — from the beginning, America was a spiritual project. Concluding the simple account in his diary, he wrote: “May his soul rest in heaven!”. I’m so sad to hear of her passing, Saddened to hear of her passing. Though she had never left her little village in Spain, Sor María claimed that in the 1620s she was transported in the Spirit more than 500 times to evangelize the native peoples in New Mexico, Arizona and West Texas. Vincenzo Criscuolo, O.F.M. But in order for his canonization to bear spiritual fruits in America, I believe we need to start a new conversation about Father Serra and the missionary era. Junípero Serra: Historical Summary and Biographical Outline Rev. As a teenager, Serra entered the Franciscans in 1730 and after his ordination to the priesthood in 1737, he served as a professor at the Llullian University in Palma de Mallorca for a dozen years. However, the death rate was much higher in the 18th century than it is today; for example, in Mallorca, where Serra was born, one out of every three infants died before the age of one. Her spirit was there and I know she was pleased to have so many friends who will miss her. (619) 281-8449 Visitor Center & Gift Shop. Peter has added some updated information about the Mass schedule and a time change of Confessions. http://www.angelusnews.com/voices/archbishop-gomez/the-spiritual-discovery-of-the-new-world-7874/#.VVJMR_lViko, www.channelstv.com/2021/01/01/breaking-kidnapped-catholic-bishop-rescued-in-imo/. In the meanwhile, Welcome to the Mission! He seemed to know that he was a pilgrim and a stranger in this land, a migrant missionary. Peter and Fr. Father Serra offers the Church an inspiring missionary spirituality, one that is rooted in the Church’s missionary identity and the missionary identity of every disciple. Father Serra patiently gathered up the bones and gave them a solemn respectful burial. Fr. Was this the first mission in the chain of 21? But we need to remember — in the beginning, the idea of America was rich with utopian expectation! When Pope Francis canonized Serra … Terrific to use as part of Junípero Serra was a Roman Catholic Spanish priest and friar of the Franciscan Order who founded a mission in Baja California and the first nine of 21 Spanish missions in California from San Diego to San Francisco. Calling for a Nat'l Day of Prayer & Fasting... God Bless Our Parish. I so enjoyed being around her on our trip to Rome .. May she rest in peace. Sor María held up the missionary as the highest form of discipleship. Rarely mentioned, however, was a fourth aspect: the protests against Serra often replicate the "Black Legend" - a prejudice against the Spanish-speaking world in general and Catholicism in particular; this legend has recurred in various forms since the middle of the 16th century. Significance: He helped us win the Revolution and establish a government afterward, improved and/or saved the lives of many people, and was one of the most … Welcome and may God bless your ministry. Objective expanded to include religious. Sending continued love, prayers & healing thoughts to Ernie & her family , Such a wonderful person so spiritual always enjoyed my visit with Linda praying for you dr grooso. Will pray for her. Leaving behind his comfortable life as a theologian and preacher, he told his parents in his farewell letter: “The dignity of the Apostolic Preacher … is the highest vocation.” Will Stanford University’s recent decision to strip the name of Father Junipero Serra from a prominent campus avenue and two buildings ripple into San Diego? His apostolic work was undertaken not only at great personal sacrifice, but with considerable suffering: he not only walked from mission to mission, but walking was also painful for him: shortly after arriving in Mexico, his left leg was infected by an insect bite that never healed and caused him to limp the rest of his life. … Noun 1. John Bray suggested naming the club after Father Junipero Serra. Happy birthday Fr Raymond Philip . LEGACY OF SAINT SERRA EXHIBIT Presented in the Sala, circa 1800 Open Daily 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saint Junípero Serra, a Franciscan missionary born and raised in Mallorca, Spain, was appointed the Father President of the Alta California Mission’s inRead more Writing about his fellow missionaries, Father Serra said: “Our purpose was to attempt, each in his place, to win for his Most Holy Majesty, a multitude of souls.” Father Junípero Serra, often called the "Apostle of California," was born in Petra on the island of Mallorca (off the east coast of Spain) in 1713. He was a man of mercy — not only in his words but also in his actions. It was the first canonization on U.S. soil. The “New World” that Jesus Christ had promised for the end of the age. He needs our prayers for a safe return. My friends, this is the only way to truly understand Father Serra — and it’s the only way to truly understand the first missionaries to the Americas. Thank you for this beautiful gift, Merry Christmas! 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