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Fray Junípero Serra, founder of the California Missions
This Mallorcan friar, who was born in Petra, personally founded nine missions that became some of the most important cities in Alta California (the U.S.) over time.
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Miquel Josep Serra i Ferrer was born in Petra (Mallorca) in 1713. He began studying at the convent of Sant Bernardí in his native village and later continued at the convent of Sant Francesc in Palma, where he entered the Franciscan order and adopted the name of Junípero.
In 1749, Serra set off for New Spain (today’s Mexico), where he lived and spread the Gospel until 1769. After the Jesuits were expelled from the lands, he left for California to continue evangelising and colonising the upper zone of this North American region.
The first Franciscan mission was founded in Baja California (San Fernando Rey de España de Vellicatá, 1769) and the second in today’s state of California (San Diego de Alcala). Serra personally founded several missions and supervised the founding of others that later grew into the big cities of San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Franciscan order established 21 missions between 1769 and 1823. Serra died in 1784 at the Mission of San Carlos Borromeo. Pope Juan Pablo II declared him a venerable in 1985 and he was beatified in 1988.
A documentation centre to disseminate his work as well as his birthplace, which contains elements of the time in which Serra lived, are open to visitors in Petra, Mallorca.
The fiesta of Padre Serra
Ajuntament de Petra
www.frayjuniperoserra.org
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