Father Serra

by Thomas Lam

Geography

Due to the location of the rugged Santa Lucia Mountains, which tumble down to the sea in central California, the overland route between San Diego and the second mission at Carmel turned inland the latter half of the journey.

History

Thus Father Serra chose an oak-studded valley east of the mountains for the site of his third mission. A bronze bell carried by a mule to that beautiful place was hung from a tree branch and Serra tolled it with vigor while shouting for the "gentiles" to come and receive the faith. When reminded that not a single gentile was in sight, Serra replied he hoped the bell could be heard around the world. So it was that the San Antonio Mission was founded on July 14, 1771. The mission grew slowly but steadily.

When reminded that not a single gentile was in sight, Serra replied he hoped the bell could be heard around the world. So it was that the San Antonio Mission was founded on July 14, 1771. The Franciscans returned and began to rebuild in the 1940s, working by hand as did the first builders. Now San Antonio lives again.

Early Life

Father Serra was born on the island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean Ocean. His parents sent him to a nearby Franciscan school, and then when he was 15 he chenged school. The next year he became a novice in the Franciscan order and were soon was ordained as a priest.

In 1749, Father Serra traveled with some fellow Franciscans to Mexico City. Serra took the long sea voyage to Spain's colonies. He got sick on the boat trip. when the he landed Mexico He walked two hundred miles to Mexico city even though he didn't feel good.

Later Life

Father Serra spent the rest of his life as a leader of the Franciscan group in Alta California. He founded the missions, he was fifty years old. He also had an injured leg and he was sick, but he still founded the first mission in San Diego in 1769.

Bibliography

1. New Perspectives on The West. 2001. The West Film Project and WETA. June 2, 2004

Click here to see my marked-up draft.