High on the list of famous figures from Mallorca is Junípero Serra, a man — and saint — whose name has become synonymous with the history of California. Born in 1713 in the small village of Petra, in the heart of Mallorca, Serra would go on to leave a profound mark on a continent half a world away. Serra was a Franciscan friar driven by faith, which led him to establish missions that would lay the foundations for many iconic California cities. Revered by some and lambasted by others, Serra’s legacy continues to spark both devotion and controversy.
Early Life and Path to Faith
Raised in a family of peasant farmers in Petra, Miquel Josep Serra showed an early intellectual and spiritual inclination. At 16, he joined the Franciscans, adopting the name Junípero after a companion of St. Francis of Assisi. Immersed in theological studies, Serra’s desire to spread Christianity grew beyond the confines of his island home. In 1749, he embarked on a perilous journey to the New World, arriving first in Mexico. In 1752, he filed reports from the city of Jalpan de Serra denouncing local people to the Inquisition for sorcery and witchcraft.
California Missions: Zeal Meets Colonialism
Serra’s arrival in California in 1769 marked the beginning of a transformative, though contentious, era. Between 1769 and 1784, Serra established nine missions from San Diego to San Francisco, the beginning of a 21-mission network stretching along the coast. These missions aimed to convert Native populations and introduce European agriculture and livestock to the land. In his vision, the missions served both religious and colonial roles, acting as a foothold for Spanish influence in the region.
Pope Francis lauded Serra’s dedication during his canonization in 2015, stating, “Junípero Serra exemplified a church that goes forth, a church that sets out to bring everywhere the reconciling tenderness of God.”
Criticism and Controversy
However, Serra’s legacy has a darker aspect that cannot be overlooked. Indigenous perspectives reveal the mission system’s devastating impact on Native communities, which faced forced labor, disease, and the erasure of cultural identities. Valentin Lopez, chairman of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, has sharply criticized Serra’s actions, stating, “Serra was the architect of the mission system; he developed the brutal, inhumane policies that had no regard for our ancestors.”
Native American scholar Deborah A. Miranda further highlighted the mission system’s role in displacing and oppressing Indigenous peoples, asserting, “Serra did not just bring us Christianity. He imposed it, giving us no choice in the matter. He did incalculable damage to a whole culture.” This cultural genocide led to the decline of Indigenous communities, and many view Serra not as a saint but as a figure associated with colonial oppression.
Legacy of a Complex Figure
Serra’s canonization rekindled the debate about his legacy. Supporters see him as a pioneering figure in California’s history, a man whose mission work laid the foundation for the state’s cities. Critics, especially within Indigenous communities, argue that his role in colonization, coercion, and the cultural devastation of Native populations should not be overlooked.
Today, Junípero Serra remains a deeply polarizing figure. Streets, schools, and statues bear his name, commemorating his contributions to California’s development, while protests and calls for removing his monuments continue as reminders of the harm inflicted on Indigenous people. Whether celebrated or condemned, Serra’s life reflects the complexities of history — where devotion and colonization intertwined, leaving a legacy that continues to stir debate across California and his native Mallorca.
