Chimes of Mission Bells | Page 3

were ruled with Christian love, And shared the sons and
daughters of Castile Their loved Franciscan Fathers' patient zeal!
But still we love each altar and each cross Of these dear fanes; e'en as
departing rays Of sun doth kiss the crags outlined with moss, We love
to linger by their altars' light. But oh fair Carmel, she of Missions
Queen What guarding spirits hover here unseen!
Sweet Carmel, center of the hero-band, What holy treasures hold thy
sacred vaults? Junipero and others! Here we stand In awe of all thou
hast been and art still! Cruel times took glory, splendor, power From
Missions all, but not their priceless dower,
Religion, love and all we hold as dear, No hand can tarnish and no
might destroy, And from each hallowed altar ruddy, clear, Still burns
the mystic lamp, for God is there! The cross-crowned towers tell that
all is not dead, E'en though more splendid times have long since sped.
And like a glowing ember in the night Our Lady's love has burned
through every change; 'Tis thus the Missions ever saw the light
Through labors, ripened harvest-joys and wrongs; Their noon-sun
splendors of well won renown Will shine their glorious heritage to
crown.
O Saintly Serra we implore thy prayer, Thy dauntless spirit sowed the
"mustard-seed" Which grew as if by miracle of wonder rare, Upon this
now rich land which thou did'st till, O let they mantle on thy clients fall
Who on thy gracious aid do humbly call.

Chapter I.

Junipero Serra, Leader of the Heroic Band of Spanish Missionaries of
California. His Coming to San Fernando, Mexico, Thence to
California.

Junipero Serra, whose name and labors may be termed a compendium
of Christian virtues, was born on November 24, 1713, in Petra, a
village of the picturesque Island of Majorca, on the northeastern coast
of Spain, and a part of the Province of fair Catalonia, one of the most
valuable and beautiful portions of Spain. This child, around whom our
story clusters was baptized on the day following his birth, and received
the names of Miguel José. His parents were poor people from a
material standpoint, but gifted with a rich heritage of the noblest, and
sublimest character; qualities which make the Spanish peasant so
delightful.
From his tenderest youth, Miguel José evinced an ardent desire to enter
the priesthood and displayed a zealous missionary spirit. His pious
parents placed no obstacle in the way of their gentle boy's vocation, and
being too poor to pay for his education, the Church did it for them. At
the age of sixteen, Miguel José left his father's small estate and began
his studies in his native village, completing them at the Franciscan
College of Palma, the Capital of the Island of Majorca. He made rapid
progress, and a brilliant future opened before him, while his virtuous
qualities were noted by all with whom he came in contact. A proof of
his worth may be seen from the facts that he was ordained before he
attained his majority; also taught in different schools as professor of
theology and received the degree of doctor soon after his ordination.
The fame of his eloquent preaching and persuasive oratorical powers
spread not only throughout Spain but reached other European countries.
Still Junipero Serra (as he was known by his own choice after an
humble disciple of Saint Francis of Assisi, noted for his charity) was
not dazzled by his brilliant mental gifts, and his thirsting desire to
evangelize the heathen savage of the New World grew apace with his
fame. He declined the offer to become the Court preacher and other
ecclesiastical dignities, which he would have been entirely justified in
accepting, and practiced those virtues which clung to him with even
more perfect maturity throughout his life; heroic virtues which enabled
him to undertake wonderful things. In him too were noted those sweet

simple qualities invariably found in great and holy men and women,
such as gentleness, amiability, a tender affection for children and a love
for the beautiful in nature; sun, moon, stars, flowers, birds, the woods
and ocean, all found responsive chords within him. In a few brief lines
we have endeavored to convey an idea of Serra's character, let us now
follow his steps in company with the band of heroic workers who
accompanied him in his voyage across the dark Atlantic, and his
apostolic journeys through Mexico and California to "break the bread
of life" to the unfortunate heathen. Among the notable band of
missionaries was Father Francisco Paloú, life-long friend and
co-laborer of Father Junipero Serra.
But why did these heroes choose Mexico and California as the
vineyards of their labors? Why did they not go to Africa or other
heathen shores? Here is the answer: