Born on Spain Island of Malloroca, Serra entered the Franciscan Order taking the name of Saint Francis, childlike companions as Brother Juniper. Until he was 35, he spent most of his time in the classroom first as a student of theology and then as a professor. He also became famous for his preaching. Suddenly he gave it all up and followed the yearning that had begun years before when he heard about the missionary work of Saint solano in South America. Junipero’s desire was to convert native peoples in the New World. Shortly, he won their love, as witnessed especially by their grief at his death in 1988. Pope Francis canonized him in Washington D.C., on September 23,2015.
