United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

11 THE FOUR MARKS OF THE CHURCH THE CHURCH IS ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, AND APOSTOLIC —CCC, NOS. 811-962

I WANTED TO BE A MISSIONARY

In 1749, Fr. Junipero Serra petitioned his Franciscan provincial for permission to become a missionary after having served as theology teacher for ten years on the island of Majorca, off the coast of Spain. He wrote, “All my life I have wanted to be a missionary. I have wanted to carry the Gospel teachings to those who have never heard of God and the kingdom he has prepared for them.” He received permission and sailed for Mexico, where he worked among the native populations for

twenty years. When the Spanish government decided to complete the conquest of California, Fr. Serra and fifteen other Franciscan missionar ies accompanied the army. In the ensuing years, Fr. Serra founded nine of the twenty-one California missions. Many of these later became cit ies such as San Diego, San Gabriel, San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Clara, San Buenaventura, and San Carlos (Monterey-Carmel). During the fifteen years of his California apostolate, he had to con front the military and civil authorities concerning the mistreatment of the Native Americans. He presented a memorandum of thirty-two points to the Viceroy for the improvement of the situation, some of which were implemented and some not. Despite having a chronically ulcerated leg, Fr. Serra visited his numerous missions many times. He baptized and con firmed thousands of Native Americans. While he concentrated on their spiritual needs, he did not ignore their material ones. The new converts were taught methods of farming, raising cattle, and arts and crafts. In