Blessed Junípero Serra
Heavenly Father, we ask you to look lovingly on the missionary journey of your faithful servant, Blessed Junípero Serra.
His steadfast efforts in founding nine missions in California and the conversion of thousands of Native Americans have inspired the formation and work of Serra International.
This ministry in Father Serra's name is to encourage and affirm vocations to priesthood and vowed religious life.
We pray that you bless this holy and courageous Franciscan missionary and grant him the ultimate honor of Sainthood in your heavenly kingdom.
We ask this in the name of thy Blessed Trinity and of Mary, Queen of Vocations.
Amen."
Prayer from: The Serra Club
Picture from: Chimes of Mission Bells, 1914
Junipero Serra should not be canonized. He was intrumental in the enslavement, disenfranchisement and genocide of indigenous peoples of California, particularily the Esselen and Rumsen of the Monterey Peninsula area. Finding some 'miracles' that are supposedly attributed to his intervention and thusly prove his qualification for sainthood is ridiculous. Miracles do happen, but they are more a function of being In The Zone than anything else.
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