Born on an island off the coast of Spain in 1713, Miguel Serra spent his early years helping his parents grow wheat and tend cattle. A block away from his house was a Franciscan friary where he attended primary school. This propelled him into joining the Franciscan Order where he took the name Junípero after a friend of St. Francis. With a doctorate in theology, he could have had a comfortable life as a priest and scholar, but at 35 he decided to be a missionary. After arriving in Mexico, he set out on foot, walking thousands of miles as he established nine missions that today are major cities in California. Until his death at age 71, Junípero battled health problems and the Spanish government, baptized over 6,000 people, and fought for the rights of Native Americans.
CHALLENGE
St. Junípero Serra spent almost half his life as a tireless evangelist, caring for bodies as well as souls. For those who are called to that vocation, Serra International Foundation helps support men and women who are called to ministerial priesthood or consecrated life in the Catholic Church. Today, visit their website at www.serrainternational.org and see how you can help them in their mission.
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Want to learn more about the Order of Mercy, also known as the Mercedarians? Mercy, Ransom, Redemption is a compilation of short stories about Mercedarian saints, blesseds, brothers, priests, and third order members of the Order.
