Saint Junípero Serra
Feast day: July 1
Spanish Franciscan missionary, evangelizer of California, model of apostolic zeal.
Miguel José Serra was born on November 24, 1713, in Petra on the island of Majorca, Spain.
He entered the Franciscans and took the name Junípero in honor of a companion of Saint Francis of Assisi.
He preached zealously on the Iberian Peninsula before sailing to New Spain in 1749.
He founded nine missions in California, proclaiming the Gospel to indigenous peoples with perseverance.
He died on August 28, 1784, in Carmel. Canonized by Francis in 2015. Liturgical feast: July 1.
Dedicated prayer
To the Franciscan missionary, we ask zeal for evangelization and love of souls.
Read prayer →