The History of Father Junipero Serra Government Responds to Serra

Apr 27, 2015

This is part of a series on the life of Junipero Serra. To read the full series, click here. 

AFTER receiving Fray Junípero Serra's representación, Viceroy Bucareli called a meeting of the viceregal council to consider the points spelled out by the Presidente. On May 13, Serra was informed that his 'proposals had been mostly approved. Serra considered that he had obtained everything he had asked for; still more important, he had gained a powerful and benevolent friend at court who would be useful and cooperative in the years to come. 

The most significant of the council's grants to Serra was that which stated that "the government, control and education of the baptized Indians should belong exclusively to the missionaries." The friars were to have a parental relationship with the Indians in economic affairs, in correction and in education. 

Pedro Fages was removed from office, to be replaced by Fernando Rivera de Moncada. The overland expeditions were to be undertaken, immoral soldiers were to be removed upon the request of a missionary, prices would be regulated and weights standardized. The padres' mail would come in separate packets and their official correspondence would enjoy governmental frankage. A doctor, blacksmiths, carpenters, bells and vestments would be provided. 

Serra's request for a hundred soldiers was considered excessive and he was asked to submit further reasons for that and other needs to the council. Another session of the viceregal body was called to consider everything that had been negotiated since the first meeting. 

In a note to his nephew, Serra said that "His Excellency has attended to all my requests and has granted as much as I have asked for. Through this, I hope, with God's help, a speedy and enlarged expansion of our holy Faith and of the dominions of our Catholic Monarch." 

Serra's busy months in Mexico City were coming to a close. He had taken care of a great variety of business items. Among other things, he had commissioned one of the more famous painters of the time, Joseph Paez, to do oil paintings of the patron saints of the California missions so far established. 

When the Presidente was ready to leave for California, the College of San Fernando took particularly good care of him, for there were misgivings as to whether he would reach his destination. The guardian gave him as companion Fray Pablo de Mugartegui who, at the same time, was to serve as chaplain of a new frigate bound for California waters. Serra set out on his journey in September of 1773. 

Before leaving, Serra asked permission to do what he had done twenty-four years earlier when he left Palma, namely, to perform an act of humility and of esteem toward all his brethren assembled in community. He received permission to kiss the feet of all, from first to last, begging pardon for all the faults he might have committed. 

Serra asked his brethren to commend him to God for they would never see his face again. "In California is my life," he had once written, "and God willing, there I hope to die." His biographer later wrote that "he touched the hearts of all in such a way that they shed copious tears. They were edified at his great humility and fervor in undertaking so long a journey at an advanced age and in such poor health that he was almost unable to stand." 

He was off again, but not before writing his nephew to report that "I am restored to health and am brought back ... and feel ready to set out on my journey back to that vineyard of the Lord."