The History of Father Junipero Serra Bl. Junipero Serra: Operation Alta California

Mar 26, 2015

Editor's note: This is part 11 of a series on the life of Bl. Junipero Serra in anticipation of his canonization. To read other articles in the series, click here.

JOSÉ de Galvez was sent to Mexico by King Charles III for the purpose of making an official visitation of the entire viceroyalty. He arrived in 1765 and remained until 1771, years in which he gained a wide knowledge of the extensive area. Interested in knowing all about the details of missionary operations, Galvez wrote to the friars, asking for reports of their charges. With that information before him, he would then make an investigation of conditions himself.

Fray Junípero Serra made out his report and forwarded it to Galvez. Then the friar started out on a tour of three missions to the north, probably to get a better idea of them himself and also to talk over future expansion of the apostolate. Galvez was unhappy about certain aspects of the temporal operations then being followed. Even before all the reports had come in, he had determined to turn the mission temporalities over to the Franciscans. He felt this measure necessary to save the foundations economically.

On August 12, 1768, Galvez signed a decree authorizing the missionaries to assume complete control of their establishments. He thus entrusted Serra and his co-workers with the difficult task of bringing order out of chaos and prosperity from ruination.

Throughout his years on the peninsula, Galvez kept in close touch with Serra. His appreciation of the Franciscan apostolate is obvious in a letter to the viceroy, wherein he says that "in the charity and zeal of the apostolic ministers who are in charge of the missions of this peninsula, I have found all the cooperation necessary to satisfy my desires."

When José de Galvez told Serra of his determination to occupy Alta California, the Mallorcan friar immediately offered to go in person as the first volunteer "to erect the holy standard of the cross in Monterey." He assured Galvez that other missionaries would not be lacking to join in that great enterprise.

This was the opportunity Serra had longed and prayed for - to reach pagan land and plant there the Faith on un-worked soil. It was, after all, the reason Serra had come to America.

Galvez and Serra planned carefully for the expedition that would thrust European presence into Alta California. It was decided, for example, that the existing peninsular missions would contribute sufficient material from church and sacristy for the first three foundations.

On January 9, 1769, the San Carlos was ready to set out from La Paz. Galvez, Serra and the others were on hand. Galvez told the group that it was being sent out in the name of God, the king and the viceroy to plant the standard of the Holy Cross among the heathen of New California. He charged them to preserve peace among themselves and to respect and revere their chaplain. Serra blessed the ship, its chaplain, crew and twenty-five soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Pedro Fages. The San Carlos weighed anchor on schedule and sailed to Cape San Lucas, there to start its voyage along the Pacific.

A month later, similar departure ceremonies were observed for the San Antonio. Operation Alta California was in motion.