Homily: July 1 2015 - Blessed Junipero Serra, Missionary

Today is the last day in human history on which we will celebrate the feast day of Blessed Junipero Serra; for when Pope Francis visits these United States in September, he will celebrate the Mass of Canonization of Junipero Serra at the Basillica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  Although, Americans have been canonized before, this is the first canonization to be celebrated U.S. soil. 

During the time when our founding Fathers were fighting for our nation’s independence on the east coast, the Franciscan Priest Father Junipero Serra traveled up through Mexico to labor for the spread of the Gospel in present-day California. 

He was a university professor in Spain, but he gave up his position to come to California to teach the Native Americans about the Lord, He devoted himself to building churches and schools for the poor and the native people, catechizing those in his care and raising up dedicated priests to continue the Lord’s work.

During that time, when the civil authorities were violating the humanity and rights of the indigenous people, Padre Serra was devoted to improving their spiritual and material well-being boldly fighting against their mistreatment.

For his work in raising up priests from the native population, Junipero Serra is a great patron Saint for vocation promotion.  There is even an international group for the promotion and support of vocations who look to his patronage called Serra International who have a chapter here in Cleveland and meet regularly to pray for vocations.

When his body was exhumed for the purpose of the canonization, it was shown that he had cancer of the legs, making the long hard journeys up the coast of California even more difficult.  Yet, he did so, out of love for God’s people, fueled by fervor for the spread of the Gospel. 

Pope Francis recently called Junipero Serra one of the founding fathers of the United States and praised his willingness to abandon the comforts and privileges of his native Spain to spread the Christian message in the new World.  May each of us, inspired by his prayers, and assisted by his intercession, take seriously the call the bring the Gospel to those who are ignorant of it, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.