July 1st: Optional Memorial of Saint Junipero Serra
Miguel Jose Serra was born November 24, 1713, on the island of Mallorca, Spain. He took the name Junipero when he entered the Franciscan Order in 1730. Ordained in 1737, he taught philosophy and theology at the University of Padua for twelve years. At age 37, he went to Mexico City where he spent the rest of his life working for the conversion of the peoples of the New World. Largely responsible for the spread of the Church on the West Coast of the United States, Junipero founded twenty-one missions and converted thousands of Native Americans. Imbued with a penitential spirit, he practiced austerity in all things. On August 28, 1784, exhausted by his labors, Father Serra was called to his eternal rest. Pope Francis canonized Junipero Serra during his visit to the United States on September 23, 2015. On that occasion the Holy Father remarked, "[Junípero Serra] was the embodiment of 'a Church which goes forth', a Church which sets out to bring everywhere the reconciling