A portrait of St. Junípero Serra
St. Junípero Serra
24 November 1713 – 28 August 1784
Feast
July 1 · XVIII c.
Patron of
California · Missionaries · Vocations
Order
Religious / Franciscan / Missionary
Spanish Franciscan missionary in California (1713-1784), Majorcan friar who founded the first nine of the twenty-one Spanish missions in Alta California (San Diego 1769 to San Buenaventura 1782). Canonized 2015 by Francis at Washington, D.C., during his US apostolic visit; status of indigenous-relations questions has been controversial in recent decades.
Life & Times
Born: 24 November 1713 · Died: 28 August 1784 · From: Spain / Mexico / California.
Patronage
St. Junípero Serra is invoked as the patron of california, missionaries, vocations. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
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Devotional items honoring St. Junípero Serra, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Junípero Serra, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.