The History of Father Junipero Serra Home to Carmel

Apr 30, 2015

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

AFTER completing his affairs in Mexico City, Serra, Fray Pablo Mugartegui and the Indian Juan Evangelista set out for California. They arrived at San Diego after a forty day voyage, on March 13, 1774. Serra found the padres at San Diego Mission in good health and working hard. Spiritually the foundation had prospered and in economic statistics the mission could show a crop of wheat, an increase in cattle and milk in abundance. 

The Presidente heard much of what had transpired in his absence. California had almost succumbed to famine, but despite the shortage of food, progress had been made. Like other missions, San Diego had problems. The first year, flood waters destroyed the crop. The second year, when seeds were planted further away from the river banks, water was scarce and the crop perished. 

It was then that it was decided that an inland valley location would prove a better site and Serra authorized the change. The new location proved better for reasons other than agricultural too. 

Serra had a great deal to tell his confreres of his successful dealing with the viceroy. He was able to promise a better future because Bucareli had taken a personal interest in the missions. 

On March 22nd, a surprise expedition arrived at San Gabriel in the person of Juan Bautista de Anza, Fray Francisco Garces and others. The incredible had happened. The mission had been reached overland from Sonora. Bucareli had asked Serra about the feasibility of the route and the Presidente recognized its value and optimistically endorsed it. 

Serra left San Diego on April 6th. The forty leagues to San Gabriel took six days, longer than usual because of the heavy rains and mud along the road. On the 23rd, Serra, Juan Evangelista and several others set out for San Luis Obispo. Enroute he met Anza. The two great men spoke of mighty plans for the future. Father Maynard Geiger thought the spot of that meeting should be commemorated by a plaque which might read: "Here on April 28, 1774, Anza and Serra, builders of an empire, met and conferred about the California-to-be." 

After a brief respite at San Luis Obispo, Serra proceeded on north to San Antonio. Then on to Monterey and Carmel. Fray Francisco Palou related that Serra's arrival caused an outbreak of joy on the part of everyone because of the success he had achieved. 

Serra wrote to the viceroy that "after so many journeys by land and sea, I am here well and safe in the mission of Monterey so greatly favored by Your Excellency. Now all the land, heretofore so melancholy and miserable, is rejoicing because of the abundant provisions and most fitting measures with which Your Excellency has consoled us." 

The supply ship had arrived too and "all past sufferings were turned into joy, declared Serra. Chocolate and tortillas, ham and flour, oil and wine were there for all. And Juan Evangelista was back among his people with stories of what he had seen and heard in a distant land. 

Serra had indeed reason for gratitude to the viceroy. And he expressed it in another letter: "If the opinion of many persons is true that conservation is no less a benefit than creation, these provinces ought not to be less obligated, nor consider themselves less indebted to the piety and zeal of Your Excellency than to those who began the colonization and spiritual conquest." 

 

Serra had never looked for smooth sailing on rough seas or smiling fields on desert terrain. He expected to meet hardships and difficulties, but he was also determined that they would not needlessly remain forever.