Born in Spain’s island of Mallorca, Junipero Serra entered the Franciscan Order, taking the name of St. Francis’ childlike companion, brother Juniper. Until he was 35, he spent most of his years in the classroom — first as a student of theology, then as a professor. He also became famous for his preaching. Suddenly, he gave it all up and followed the yearning that had begun years before when he heard about the missionary work of St. Francis Solanus in South America. Junipero’s desire was to convert native peoples in the new world.
Junipero’s missionary life was a long battle with cold and hunger, with considerable physical affliction, with unsympathetic military commanders and was even in danger of death from certain groups of peoples. Through it all his unquenchable zeal was defined by prayer each night, often from midnight til dawn. He ministered tirelessly out of immense compassion for humanity, seeing many thousands converted to the Christian faith.
His travels to plant and nurture the California missions resulted in thousands of miles traveled by foot, and effectively would have circled the globe. He brought the Native Americans not only the gift of faith, but also a decent standard of living and usable skills. He won their love, as witnessed especially by their grief at this death. He is buried at Mission San Carlo Borromeo, Carmel, CA, and he was beatified in 1988.