My cousin just informed me that today is the feast of St Junipero Serra, a Franciscan priest who started the first vineyards in California. I was intrigued to learn more.
It seems Fr. Serra was a successful priest in Spain when he left to do missionary work in Mexico. He entered Mexico at the port of Vera Cruz, the same port that welcomed my great-grandmother and grandmother to the west. Serra went on to help colonize and build missions in California -- including the mission of San Juan Capistrano, the beloved mission of my grandmother and the place where her funeral mass was held.
The chapel at Mission San Juan Capistrano, built in 1782, is believed to be the oldest standing building in California. It is known as "Father Serra's Church," it has the distinction of being the only remaining church in which Father Serra is known to have celebrated the rites of the Catholic Church.
Fr. Serra also is credited for bringing agriculture to California -- including grapes, figs, olives, oranges, cattle, goats, and yes, sheep.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
So you and Juni have more in common than grapes! We are all part of the Family...
Post a Comment