153 / 665
11
THE FOUR MARKS OF
THE CHURCH
THE CHURCH IS ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, AND APOSTOLIC
—CCC, NOS. 811-962
I WANTED TO BE A MISSIONARY
In 1749, Fr. Junipero Serra petitioned his Franciscan provincial for permis-
sion to become a missionary after having served as theology teacher for
ten years on the island of Majorca, off the coast of Spain. He wrote,“All my
life I have wanted to be a missionary. I have wanted to carry the Gospel
teachings to those who have never heard of God and the kingdom he has
prepared for them.”
He received permission and sailed for Mexico, where he worked
among the native populations for twenty years. When the Spanish gov-
ernment decided to complete the conquest of California, Fr. Serra and
fifteen other Franciscan missionaries accompanied the army. In the
ensuing years, Fr. Serra founded nine of the twenty-one California mis-
sions. Many of these later became cities such as San Diego, San Gabriel,
San Luis Obispo, San Francisco, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Clara, San
Buenaventura, and San Carlos (Monterey-Carmel).
During the fifteen years of his California apostolate, he had to con-
front the military and civil authorities concerning the mistreatment of the
Native Americans. He presented a memorandum of thirty-two points to
the Viceroy for the improvement of the situation, some of which were
implemented and some not. Despite having a chronically ulcerated leg,
Fr. Serra visited his numerous missions many times. He baptized and con-
firmed thousands of Native Americans. While he concentrated on their
spiritual needs, he did not ignore their material ones. The new converts
were taught methods of farming, raising cattle, and arts and crafts. In