From Mallorca to California: the story of Junípero Serra

Junípero Serra was a friar from Mallorca who played a key role in the history of California and in the expansion of the missions in the United States.

Thanks to the cinema, we imagine California as a place with a wonderful climate, long avenues lined with palm trees, beautiful convertibles and girls roller-skating… Yes, today California is all that and much more, because its history is closely linked to Mallorca. In this post, we’ll explain the odyssey of Junípero Serra, the Mallorcan friar who made his way to California.

Who was Junípero Serra?

In 1713, Miguel José Serra Ferrer was born in Petra, a small village in inland Mallorca. Miguel lived and grew up there, attending the Franciscan monks’ school in Petra until he later moved to Palma. He wanted to continue his studies and so entered the Convent of San Francisco, a highly reputable centre of learning on the island. At a very young age, just 16, he decided to become a friar and change his name to Junípero.

Professor

After years of intensive study in philosophy and theology, he went on to obtain a doctorate in both subjects and spent several years teaching, holding the chair of theology at the University of Lulia.

It is said that Friar Junípero Serra was a devout believer and, moreover, an excellent orator capable of winning people over. He was highly regarded in Palma and must surely have led a comfortable and peaceful life. Yet, even so, life in a town of barely 34,000 inhabitants must have seemed monotonous to him. His thirst for new experiences and for doing things drove him on, so he decided to leave Mallorca.
The journeys begin, from Mallorca to America

The journeys begin, from Mallorca to America

In the spring of 1749, he set sail for Cádiz, and from there he would depart, along with 20 other Franciscan missionaries, bound for America. They arrived at the port of Veracruz, and from there Friar Junípero Serra continued on to Mexico City. However, he decided to make the journey on foot, a trek of nearly 500 kilometres. He spent a few months in Mexico City, until he was assigned as a missionary to a remote area called Sierra Gorda, home to the Pame Indians. He spent nine years in Jalpan de Serra, and whilst teaching the Indians techniques of agriculture, livestock farming and various trades, he learnt the Pame language.

California

After spending a long time in Mexico City, he set out for California, as in 1767 the King of Spain had decided to strengthen the Spanish presence there. The Franciscan friars were appointed to this task, and Fray Junípero Serra was to be their leader.

In July 1767, they left Mexico, arrived at the port of San Blas and from there sailed to Loreto, home to the mission ‘Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó’, regarded as the mother and head of all the missions in Lower and Upper California.

The journey begins

By March 1769, preparations were complete and the journey to Upper California began. The expedition was led by Gaspar de Portolá, a soldier and explorer, whilst Fray Junípero Serra accompanied them as chaplain. It should not be forgotten that, apart from an evangelising mission, the Spanish Crown had colonial interests. In addition to soldiers and chaplains, a large herd of animals—horses, donkeys, oxen, cows, sheep and pigs—accompanied them, as these were necessary for the journey and for establishing the missions.

San Diego, the first of the missions

In July 1769, they arrived at San Diego Bay, where they founded the mission “San Diego de Alcalá”, the first of the expedition. In the following years, missions continued to be built and organised throughout the territory of what is now the state of California: San Carlos de Borromeo, San Luis Obispo, Santa Bárbara… And so on, until there were 21 in total throughout Upper California, linked by a route known as “El Camino Real”.

Does the mission “San Francisco de Asís” ring a bell? Well, yes, it is the origin of the now famous city of San Francisco!

What were the missions in California like?

The mission was built with a church at its centre, as the aim was to convert the indigenous people to Catholicism. But it was also an agricultural and livestock enterprise in which the indigenous people became subjects of Spain, either voluntarily or by force. The Franciscans organised the missions and taught the natives to work the land and raise livestock using European methods, as well as some basic trades.

Crops varied depending on the mission’s location, the soil and the availability of water, but the most common were wheat, oats, barley, maize, lentils, broad beans, chickpeas, melons and pumpkins. The Mission of San José, perhaps the richest and most productive, also planted vineyards, olive trees, orange trees and lemon trees.

Some missions, such as San Gabriel Arcángel, came to have as many as 40,000 head of livestock (cattle, sheep and horses), from which meat, hides and tallow were obtained. All of this was sold or exchanged for other goods, such as cotton, sugar, tea or tobacco.

The historical controversy

Although the missions succeeded in bringing about many improvements, the outcome was not entirely positive. Despite the friars’ constant efforts to protect them, many indigenous people suffered abuse at the hands of civilians or military personnel, and many died because they had no immunity to diseases that were unknown to them. In short, the traditional way of life of the indigenous peoples was irrevocably altered.

Fray Junípero Serra: his later years and his legacy today

After a life of great dedication, Fray Junípero Serra died in August 1784 at the Mission of San Carlos Borromeo, located in Monterey (California).

He is buried there and continues to be deeply revered by Americans, who, in addition to naming countless streets and avenues across the state after him, erected a statue of him at the US Capitol in Washington. He is regarded as one of the founding fathers of the United States, as the establishment of the missions in California marked the beginning of the state’s journey to becoming one of the most important states in the US.

In September 2015, Junípero Serra was canonised by the current Pope Francis, further evidence of his status as one of the most significant historical figures born on our island.

Almonds and other crops that were already established in Mallorca at that time were taken to California by Fray Junípero. Find out something about the Mallorcan almond by following the link: La almendra de Mallorca

La almendra de Mallorca

Mallorca has been the birthplace of historical figures and is also home to a rich cultural and culinary tradition… If you’d like to discover the island’s authentic flavours, why not explore our recipes and traditional Mallorcan products?