Blessed Junipero Serra, Priest

Junipero Serra was born on November 24, 1713 on the island of Baleari Major and was given the name Peter. He entered the Order of the Friars Minor at Palma, Majorca in 1730 and, after completing his studies, was ordained to the priesthood in 1736. In April of 1749, he began his missionary work and went to Mexico, where he preached the gospel to the native peoples and founded missions. He entered California on July 1, 1767 where he proceeded to found nine missions along the California coast from San Diego to San Francisco. He died in Monterey on August 28, 1784 and is buried in the mission church of Saint Charles Borromeo, which he founded.