St. Junipero Serra

Patron Saint of California

St. Junipero Serra was a Spanish-born Franciscan missionary. After spending several years as a professor of philosophy in Spain, he forewent a prestigious academic career and followed his true desire to serve as a missionary priest in the New World. Relentless in his goal to spread the Gospel, Fr. Junipero founded nine missions in modern-day California, including well-known places like San Diego, San Francisco, and Ventura. He died in 1784 after 14 years of missionary work, having baptized 6,000 native peoples. He was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II in 1988 and canonized by Pope Francis in 2015, the first canonization to take place in the United States. He is the patron saint of California.

Pilgrimage Site in the United States

• Carmel Mission Basilica, Shine of St. Junipero Serra — Carmel, CA