August 28
Junípero Serra (1713–1784)
Franciscan missionary priest
Practical advice
With simplicity and joy, spend a few minutes asking for holy and generous vocations with external order and interior recollection.
Biography
Miguel José Serra was born on the island of Mallorca, Spain. He took the name Junípero upon entering the Franciscan Order in 1730. Ordained priest in 1737, he taught philosophy and theology at the University of Padua. At the age of 37 he went to Mexico, where he generously spent his life evangelizing the inhabitants of the continent. With great apostolic zeal he toured the northwest of Mexico and the south of the United States, founding 21 missions from which he radiated much good. The enormous sacrifice of those walks cannot be overlooked, with the desire to do good, which encourages us to go wherever necessary to fulfill our duty.