Serra, Saint Junípero << SEHR rah, saynt hoo NEE peh `roh` >> (1713-1784), was a Franciscan missionary who in 1769 founded the first mission in present-day California. This mission, San Diego de Alcalá, was built near San Diego Bay. Serra later established eight more missions.
Serra was born on the Spanish island of Majorca on Nov. 24, 1713, and was educated there. He entered the Franciscan religious order in 1730 and was ordained a priest in 1738. He taught philosophy in Majorca and, in 1749, sailed to Mexico to join the San Fernando College in Mexico City. Serra was named superior of the Franciscan missions in Lower California (a part of Mexico) in 1767. He died on Aug. 28, 1784. In 1988, Serra was beatified by the Roman Catholic Church. Beatification is an important step toward declaring somebody a saint. Serra was canonized (declared a saint) in 2015. A statue of Serra represents California in Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol.
