University of San Francisco - USF Don Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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T II E !♦ R ES II M A X . raised from the ruins a house of prayer to (iod and turned the stony Redman to he its most devout worshipper. When the missions are in starvation we see him walking 240 miles in quest of food and returning laden. To baptize the children was his insatiable passion. To preach the word of (iod was his aim. ( )ften was he found in the pulpit beating his unbared chest with a sharp stone and applying burning torches to his flesh in order to do penance for his lowly auditors and to illustrate hell’s torments. “To labor is to pray.” said the old solitaries. Serra. before death closed his eyes, founded nine missions— San Diego. San Carlos. San Antonio. San Gabriel. San Luis Obispo. Mission Dolores (San Francisco). San Juan Cap istrano. Santa C lara and San lUtena Ventura. He would come to one of. these places, raise a cross on high and build a booth about it. The ground and booth he consecrated and christened with the name of a saint and celebrated holy mass. With this simple ceremony over he left two of his friars in charge with some soldiers to guard them. All that these could call their own were several head of cattle and some seed. Krom this humble beginning mighty institutions arose. In upper California alone. 5143 Indians were converted to Christ in a short time and lived a thoroughly civilized Christian life. Immense fields were operated in which the Indians toiled. For recompense they received food, clothing and education. With absolutely no worry they lived care free. The morning Angelus roused them from slumber and summoned them to the holy sacrifice. fter breakfasting they labored till the hour of eleven when they would lunch and rest. At two o’clock they resumed work until relieved bv the sound of the Angel’s evening song. Supper over, they had their games, races and dances which they entered into with a spirit of inno cent mirth. The illustrious founder of so noble a work was not destined to survive it long. For many years he was suffering from heart trouble, but this, the inevita ble cause of his death, could in no wis«» restrain his ardor nor stop his attempt at a thorough visitation of all his missions. Though worn and very lame he journeyed on foot from San Diego to Monterey and then to San Carlos where he remained in broken health. ()n the evening before his death luni-pero Serra repaired to the church to receive the last holy rites. The service fo» the dying was read and our holy man summoned all his strength to answer the prayers. Returning to his cell he sank on his rough couch and prayerfully awaited the coming end. ()utside the covered walks knelt the Indians and around his bedside knelt his brethren With a last faint effort he raised his hand to bless them and with the “cum spiritu saucto his spirit winged it flight to its God. On the spot where he had labored so long Fr. Junipero Serra sleeps in eternal peace. His grave Once green with the verdure placed there with loving hands now is o’er steeped with the ruins of the stone church of San Carlos. 'The thousands of acres about, once the smiling fields of the Indians, are now in strange hands that revere not the hallowed past. Hut all was not in vain. Though Serra sleeps in the ruins of bis work, his Christlike spirit has gone forth and has conquered cities and the hearts of men. Johx J. Scin.APpr.

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T II F I K FS II M A X . 2 I Stmijjmi rrra —N scanning the past of California. d) nu more striking figure appears to us than Fr. Junipero Serra. the ] riest who ilcvoted his life to spreading the (iospel in the new world and to establish it by his misisons. W hat indomitable energy, what ceaseless activity what hardship and struggle he expended can he estimated by the mighty monument' whose ruins stand today on southern soil. Thi' champion of Christ first saw the light in the Island of Majoria, Spain, in 1713. 1IC early years found him studious and devout and tilled with but one idea to consecrate his life to the service of the altar. Filtering the convent of San llernardino. he prosecuted the classical studies with much distinction until the age of sixteen when he entered the I ranci'can )rder. ()f this, he became a luminary, and shed much luster on the sons nf the Seraph Saint by his arduous and lasting toil in the new world. It was not until the year 1749 that Junipero took sail from his well beloved Spain en route for the missionary fields of far away western Pacific. I -ike St. Paul lie underwent hunger and shipwreck which were ! him as the furnace to the gold, and after much tribulation he landed on the coast of Mexico where he went through nineteen years of strug-g'e. The Jesuits being expelled from their missions by the inquisitors' edict of Charles III of Spain. 1769. Serra was appointed President of the missions and was 'cut to Lower California. Ilis hope was realized. I le was a missioner in New Spain. With a heroic little hand he set out for his new fields against the wishes of his many friends. Nothing could deter him—not even an inflamed leg. from which he was suffering most acute pain—from making the journes afoot and in most inclement weather. Cnspeakable tortures and hardships were his constant companions, but in spite of it all he walked triumphant through a dreary ten months and arrived at San Diego in May, 1769. Mere he planted a rude cross which was the cornerstone of Californian civilization From this point went forth Fr. Crespi with a party having Portola as its leader, to discover Monterey Pay. They missed it and continued sixty leagues to the north where they found a most beautiful and tranquil sheet of water which they named after their beloved founder. St. Francis. After six months they returned to San Diego to find their companions in a sorry plight. Serra lying at death’s door. Portola hastened hence to Vellicata where he found saving provisions for his stricken companions. ()nce the afflictions of the camp were stayed the party started for Monterey—the much debilitated Junipero going by sea. The bay was found and Monterey was taken possession of first in the name of the church and then in the name of New Spain. The following fifteen years of struggle were marked bv the most heroic achievements: but Serra's endurance was limitless. Mis courage in depressing circumstances and his trust in the omnipotence of the Maker led him to conquer odds which were sometime' too much even for the bravest. San Diego mission was reduced to ashes and the presiding priest cruelly murdered by the hostile Indians. Put this blood of the martyr was to be the seed of Christians and Serra recognized it. Ihnlaunted he

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T II E E R ES II M A X . 23 daloary’a (Crnaa (Planted by Archbishop Wemany many years ago,on a mountain overlooking the city.) edemption's sign! I plitted High o’er the western title: t h! tell the varied stories That in thy breast reside: The tales of wild adventure: The tales of bitter woe: The tales of holy comfort That set thy heart aglow. Alas! the proud invader ho trod this hallowed spot. W ho scorned my saving lessons And my warnings soon forgot. Mis wailings ever haunt, me As the dismal night wind howls: When earth and sea are shrouded His spirit ’round me prowls. I’ve watched the storm tossed billows Dash 'gainst the (iolden (late. With the lightning from the heavens Sealing mortals' fate. I-or years I've stood to brave it— guide to point the way I nto the realms of gladness I ’nto eternal day. I've seen the Jasons enter. The burnished strait below. In quest of gold and treasure: nd I’ve seen them go Proudly sailing to the sea Rich with their yellow gain. I’ve seen them ride the billows. I've seen them dashed amain. The just are gently sleeping In the shadow where I fall: And calmly they are waiting (iabriel's judgment call. P.ut throngs around me gather And listen to my voice— These turn my tears to gladness— These make my heart rejoice: Led by the sons of Francis They climb the way through me That leads where bask the nations 'Xeatli the sun of eternity. — I’RANCIS J. ('RKEI)K.