Describe Fr. Serra’s priestly life before he arrived in the New World
Miguel Jose Serra made his Franciscan promise when he was just 18. He took the name Junipero, in honour of Brother Juniper, a close companion of St. Francis of Assisi.
Fr Junipero taught at the Franciscan Seminary, and preached at different parishes on the island of Mallorca. He was happy to serve God as a priest, but longed to be a missionary. He prayed for the chance to be received as a missionary, and at length his chance seemed to have arrived.
News came from New Spain* that more missionaries were needed; needed to preach to the Indians. Anyone who accepted this task would have to serve a minimum 10 years. Of course Fr Junipero requested to be sent, but (alas!) his superior was reluctant to lose such a good seminary lecturer. When the priests departing from Spain gathered at the seaport, Fr Junipero was not among them.
Five priests from Andalusia, an inland mountain region, arrived at port. They regarded the vastness of the ocean, which they have never seen before, were terrified of its immensity. They decided to remain in Spain. Now, there were five new openings. Fr Junipero’s superior gave him the required permission, and he prepared to depart to Spain. He did not return to his family to say goodbye. He knew they might waver him in his decision in leaving. He sailed from Mallorca to Spain then to the New World.
*Mexico
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