Junipero Serra and the California Missions Pt 1

Summary

In the mid-18th century, Spain embarked on a mission to establish settlements along the wild West Coast of North America, leading to the California Mission system. The endeavor, led by Captain Gaspar de Portola and Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra, aimed to solidify Spain's claim to the region and convert the indigenous population. Facing hardships, including disease, native resistance, and a struggle between religious and military goals, the mission project nearly failed. However, faith and perseverance saw it through, forever changing the future of California and its native people.

Takeaways

• 📜 In the mid-18th century, Spain initiated a land rush to establish control over California, sending an unlikely group of soldiers and priests on a mission to establish settlements along the west coast of North America.
• 🌊 The west coast of North America was largely unexplored and wild, with early European explorers like Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo having minimal impact on the region since 1542.
• 🗺️ Early accounts of California were fanciful and inaccurate, with some cartographers even depicting it as a large island, and early descriptions of the natives varied from man-eating monsters to beautiful female warriors.
• 🏡 California was home to over 63 tribes of indigenous people who lived a rich and peaceful existence, unaware of the impending changes to their world.
• 🤝 In 1767, King Carlos III of Spain approved a plan to establish Spanish settlements in California, involving both the church and the state in a joint effort.
• 👥 Captain Gaspar de Portola and Franciscan missionary Junipero Serra were chosen to lead the expedition, representing the military and religious aspects of the colonization, respectively.
• 🛶 The expedition faced numerous challenges, including disease, lack of knowledge about native foods, and conflicts over the primary purpose of the mission between converting the natives and establishing a military presence.
• 🙏 Despite setbacks, Father Serra's faith and determination played a crucial role in the continuation of the mission, as he refused to abandon his calling even in the face of adversity.
• 🏰 The establishment of the first mission in San Diego was met with resistance from the native population, who were unhappy with the Spanish intruders and launched an attack on the mission.
• 🛶 A key moment in the mission's survival came when Father Serra prayed for a resupply ship to arrive, and on the feast day of St. Joseph, a ship appeared, saving the mission from failure.
• 🗣️ Serra's efforts to learn the native language and understand their culture were essential in attracting converts and expanding the mission, highlighting the importance of cultural understanding in colonization efforts.

Q & A

What was the primary motivation for the Spanish land rush in California during the mid-18th century?

The primary motivation was to establish Spanish control over the vast California wilderness and to solidify Spain's claim to the region, especially in response to the perceived threat of English and Russian explorers heading towards California.

Who were the key figures leading the Spanish expedition to establish missions in California, and what roles did they play?

The key figures were Captain Gaspar de Portola, who led the military aspect of the expedition, and Father Junipero Serra, a Franciscan missionary who led the religious effort to convert the native population.

What was the fundamental disagreement between Captain Portola and Father Serra during the expedition?

The fundamental disagreement was whether the primary purpose of the expedition was to establish a Spanish military presence or to convert the native population to Christianity. This conflict created underlying tension throughout the mission.

How did Father Serra's leg injury during the expedition get treated, and why is this significant?

Father Serra's leg injury, which became ulcerated, was treated by an old mule handler using animal salve, after which he was miraculously able to continue the journey. This event is considered one of several extraordinary or miraculous incidents associated with Father Serra.

What was the state of the San Diego mission when Captain Portola and Father Serra first arrived?

When they first arrived, the San Diego mission was in a dire state, with one of the support ships lost at sea, many sailors dead from disease, and food supplies dangerously low. The remaining crew and soldiers faced significant challenges in establishing the mission.

Why did Father Serra and the Spanish missionaries view the California natives as children?

The missionaries viewed the natives as children because they did not consider them equals in terms of reasoning and understanding. This condescending view influenced how they treated the natives, often dismissing their resistance to Spanish ways as childish behavior.

What event caused a sudden change in the relationship between the Spanish settlers and the native population in San Diego?

A sudden change occurred when a large contingent of natives launched a surprise attack on the San Diego mission, showing their displeasure with the Spanish presence. The attack was repelled by the small number of remaining soldiers at the mission.

How did Father Serra react when Captain Portola decided to abandon the mission project and return to Mexico?

Father Serra was deeply distressed by the decision to abandon the mission project. He secretly made plans to remain behind alone, unwilling to give up on his calling to convert the natives, even if it meant sacrificing his life.

What was the significance of the novena that Father Serra initiated, and how did it affect the outcome of the expedition?

The novena, a set of prayers conducted over nine days in honor of Saint Joseph, was significant because it reflected Father Serra's deep faith. Just as Captain Portola was preparing to retreat, a resupply ship arrived on the final day of the novena, which was seen as a miraculous answer to their prayers.

What long-term impact did Father Serra's experience with the resupply ship have on his practices at the missions?

The arrival of the resupply ship on March 19th, after the novena, led Father Serra to honor Saint Joseph by celebrating a high mass on the 19th of every month at each mission for the rest of his life.