Jose Miguel Serra was born in Petra , Mallorca , Spain , the son of a farmer. He joined the Franciscan Order in 1730, taking the name of Junipero. After ordination, He received a doctorate I Theology and taught philosophy at the Lullian University at Palma de Mallorca. In 1749, He sailed for Mexico and en route he preached his first sermon in the Americas at San Juan , Puerto Rico . From 1750 to 1758 he preached extensively thourghout Mexico and held numerous administrative offices. In 1767, Mexico expelled all the Jesuits, Junipero was chosen president of the missions in lower California. When the Spaniards took over upper California in 1769, Junipero accompanied the Spanish forces to San Diego , California , where he founded the first mission in that territory. In the following years, he established nine missions in California .
Jose Miguel Serra was born in Petra , Mallorca , Spain , the son of a farmer. He joined the Franciscan Order in 1730, taking the name of Junipero. After ordination, He received a doctorate I Theology and taught philosophy at the Lullian University at Palma de Mallorca. In 1749, He sailed for Mexico and en route he preached his first sermon in the Americas at San Juan , Puerto Rico . From 1750 to 1758 he preached extensively thourghout Mexico and held numerous administrative offices. In 1767, Mexico expelled all the Jesuits, Junipero was chosen president of the missions in lower California. When the Spaniards took over upper California in 1769, Junipero accompanied the Spanish forces to San Diego , California , where he founded the first mission in that territory. In the following years, he established nine missions in California . 