Serra, Junipero


Serra, Junipero

(1713–84) missionary; born in Petra, Majorca. He entered the Franciscan Order in 1730 and arrived in Mexico City in 1750. He founded nine missions in present-day California (including San Diego and San Francisco) and was responsible for the baptism of over 6,000 Indians. He was beatified by the Roman Catholic Church in 1988.