The Saint we honor today has made the news recently. Up and down California, mobs are destroying statues of Junipero Serra, the missionary priest, who left the comforts and privileges of his native Spain to devoted himself to building churches and schools for the poor and the native Americans. Junipero Serra was canonized by Pope Francis in 2015 during the Holy Father’s first visit to our nation.Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco lamented the destruction of these statues, and even held an exorcism in the Golden Gate Park, after the Statue of St. Junipero was toppled. “I’ve been feeling great distress and sort of a deep wound in my soul when I see these horrendous acts of blasphemy and disparaging of the memory of Serra who was such a great hero, such a great defender of the indigenous people of this land," Cordileone said.
"I would ask our people to learn the history of Father Serra, the missions, the whole history of the Church, so they can appreciate the great legacy the Church has given us, given the world,” he said. “So much truth, beauty and goodness. It’s a wonderful legacy that we should be proud of. There are those that want to make us feel ashamed of it.”
Efforts to destroy Saint Junipero’s statue have not been entirely successful: thanks to the presence of a small band of Catholics, a “Tear Down Junipero Serra” event in Ventura, California, concluded with the bronze statue of Padre Serra standing unharmed. Event participants harassed and taunted the Catholics defending the statue, disparaging the opinions, religion, race, and personal appearance of those they disagreed with. One woman raced up, ripped signs away from two supporters at the base of the statue, and was dragged away, clawing, throwing things, and screaming obscenities.
Sadly, unless there is a great miracle and change of heart, such violence will likely continue. Likely, statues will continue to be torn down, history scrubbed of reference to Christianity, as has been done in Europe for the past two decades. We are already seeing Catholics being harassed and physically attacked.
And yet we shouldn’t lose heart. Rather, wherever the saints are disparaged we redouble our efforts to them, wherever Christians are persecuted, we redouble our efforts to live out the Gospel, to give witness to the one who calls us to fidelity amidst the resistance and hostility of the world. "Hate evil and love good" as the prophet Amos teaches in the reading today, "for justice will prevail at the gate", the gate of heaven where souls will be judged.
As the world seems to fall apart at the seams, we recommit to the acts of goodness, education, works of mercy, like those performed by St. Junipero, that reinfuse the world with God’s goodness and the grace of Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That all Christians may be deeply committed to the spread of Christ’s Gospel, and for the success of the Church’s missionary activity.
For our nation, as we celebrate our independence this weekend, that we may be always grateful for our freedom, and use that freedom for God’s will, rather than our own.
For the conversion of hearts to all who engage in religious persecution, stifle the preaching of the Gospel, or tear down what is good and holy.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all Christians persecuted for the faith around the world, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, the deceased members of our families friends and parishes, for those who fought and died for our freedom, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.
Graciously grant our petitions, we beseech thee, O Lord; may your grace sustain us always in your service, through Christ Our Lord.
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