St Junipero Serra – 1st July 2023

St Junipero Serra

Junípero Serra was a Spanish Roman Catholic priest and missionary of the Franciscan Order. He entered the Franciscan Order in 1730 and ordained in 1738. In 1750 he arrived in Mexico City for missionary work among the Indians, serving first in the Sierra Gorda missions from 1750 to 1758 and then in south-central Mexico from 1758 to 1767. Serra’s missionary work among the Indians of North America earned him the title of “Apostle of California”.

Serra was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 25 September 1988. Pope Francis canonized Serra on 23 September 2015.

Saint Junipero Serra, patron saint of vocations to Church ministry and builder of the Church on the west coast—pray for us!

Devotion to Honor Saint Junípero Serra (Novena)

O God, in Your ineffable mercy, You chose Saint Junípero Serra as a means of gathering many peoples of the Americas into Your Church. Grant that through his intercession our hearts may be united in You in ever greater love, so that at all times and in all places we may show forth the image of Your Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen

Saint Junipero Serra Novena

Saint Junipero Serra, your missionary zeal brought the light of Christ to millions. You endured so many hardships, and labored so much that your work resonates today in the hearts of hundreds of millions of Catholics. Saint Serra, I petition you today to help me deliver the light of Christ through my words and deeds to others. May I instruct by example and faithfully guide others to Christ, just as you so wonderfully did centuries ago. I pray that you stand beside me, that you grant me the wisdom and words to share. Please intercede for me before the throne of Christ, may you both witness the work I do on His behalf. I offer my labor and my sacrifice to you. Please receive me as your faithful servant, in Christ, My Lord, I pray.
Amen

(Mention your request here…)

Saint Junipero Serra, pray for us

Say 1: Our Father…Say 1: Hail Mary…Say 1: Glory Be…

Serra Prayer for Vocations

O God, Who wills not the death of a sinner, but rather that he be converted and live, grant we beseech You through the intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Saint Joseph, her spouse, Blessed Junipero Serra, and all the saints, an increase of laborers for your Church, fellow laborers with Christ to spend and consume themselves for souls, through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.
Amen

Prayer to Saint Junipero Serra

God most high, your servant Junipero Serra brought the gospel of Christ to the peoples of Mexico and California and firmly established the Church among them. By his intercession, and through the example of his evangelical zeal, inspire us to be faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen

Litany of Saint Junípero Serra

God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the World, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us.
Mother of the Church, Pray for us.
Mother of all Vocations, Pray for us.
Queen of the Angels, Pray for us.
Patroness of the Americas, Pray for us.
Saint Junipero Serra, Pray for us.
Who opens my eyes and heart to the challenges of today, Pray for us.
Prophet and penitent who saw the suffering Christ in the poor,Pray for us.
Protector, lover, defender of the Indians and our faith, Pray for us.
Admirer of all creation, the sea, the sky, and all the earth, Pray for us.
Model of priestly service and saintly son of St. Francis, Pray for us.
Beloved of God and of all those in need, Pray for us.
Peacemaker in the face of violence, Pray for us.
Teacher of perseverance and trust in prayer, Pray for us.
Apostolic missionary, Pastor, and Patron of the Californias, Pray for us.
Pathfinder for those seeking true direction in their lives, Pray for us.
Patron of all Serrans, Pray for us.
God’s fearless leader, Pray for us.
Who keeps my gratitude fresh each day, Pray for us.
Who accepts both success and suffering as gift, Pray for us.
Who bore his physical and emotional pain in imitation of the
Crucified, Pray for us.
Who spoke the truth openly and courageously against power and
injustice, Pray for us.
Whose charity and humility endured a lifetime, Pray for us.
Who proclaimed the Gospel, fed the hungry, and clothed the naked,
Pray for us.
Who was always faithful, zealous and loyal, Pray for us.
Who was close to the sick and dying, Pray for us.
Who is guide to my feet in following Christ, Pray for us.
Who told us “Always go forward and never turn back,” Pray for us.
O Christ, may your compassion shine forth from the depth of our
hearts and embrace all we meet, Hear us, O Lord.
You who fills the emptiness in our life with your presence, Hear us, O Lord.
Tender-hearted and merciful God, Hear us, O Lord.
Christ hear us, Christ hear us.
Lord Jesus, hear our prayers, Lord Jesus, hear our prayers.

Prayers

Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to the Father.

Let Us Pray
O Lord Jesus Christ, reward the apostolic zeal of Your
Seraphic son, Saint Junipero Serra, who leaving home and
fatherland, labored for the salvation of souls in Spain, Mexico and
California. By Your Most Holy name may he be raised to the full
honors of the altar. Through the intercession of Saint Serra, look with
favor on my special prayers which have no earthly answer. This we
pray through Christ our Lord.
Amen

Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood

O God, who willed to provide shepherds for your people,
pour out in your Church a spirit of piety and fortitude,
to raise up worthy ministers for your altars
and make them ardent yet gentle heralds of your Gospel.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.

NOVENA TO SAINT JUNIPERO SERRA

[Say the following prayers daily for 9 days.]

Prayer for Our Holy Father

God, Our Father, we ask You to look with mercy and love on the
Supreme Shepherd You have chosen for us. Give him health and
strength to guide and govern Your holy people. May he, through
word and example, direct, sustain and encourage the people in his
care, so that with them he may share everlasting life. Lord Jesus,
hear our prayer through the intercession of Saint Junipero Serra.
Amen.

NOVENA FIRST DAY
Meditation

Saint Junipero Serra,
from early childhood you experienced prolonged pain and suffering,
yet with youthful innocence you did not lose faith,
hope or charity.
You placed your trust in God
and His holy purpose during your novitiate
and were able to overcome untold afflictions.
Obtain for me the grace to deepen my belief
in what God has revealed.
Strengthen my hope in Him
and intensify my love of Him in heart and deed.

Say the following prayers…
Prayer For Our Holy Father ….
Novena Prayer ….
Litany of Saint Junipero Serra …

NOVENA SECOND DAY
Meditation

Saint Junipero Serra,
at the height of earthly honors
you abandoned all to become a missionary
for the greater honor and glory of God.
You struggled with the decision at first,
especially, pained by knowing
you would never see your family again.
Your deep faith and zeal for saving souls
gave you the courage to go forward
and renounce all security and comfort.
Help me to strengthen my faith,
listen for God’s call,
and “go ahead and never to turn back”
as I do what He asks.

Say the following prayers…
Prayer For Our Holy Father ….
Novena Prayer ….
Litany of Saint Junipero Serra …

NOVENA THIRD DAY
Meditation

Saint Junipero Serra,
you tackled many obstacles and made untold sacrifices.
In addition to those naturally placed in your path,
you willingly assumed additional burdens.
If you, so holy a man,
gladly bore such severe penances for your sins
and the salvation of souls,
how much more should I,
in my constant struggle with temptation,
undertake as I struggle to be more selfless
and do more for others!

Say the following prayers…
Prayer For Our Holy Father ….
Novena Prayer ….
Litany of Saint Junipero Serra …

NOVENA FOURTH DAY
Meditation

Saint Junipero Serra,
for you all-consuming love of Our Lord,
to the point of risking your life on several occasions,
you were afforded miraculous occasions and divine favor.
Help me to develop a more intimate
and devoted love of Jesus,
the Word of God Incarnate,
His Mother Mary,
and all the saints,
so that I, too,
may gain the gift of divine grace.

Say the following prayers…
Prayer For Our Holy Father ….
Novena Prayer ….
Litany of Saint Junipero Serra …

NOVENA FIFTH DAY
Meditation

Saint Junipero Serra,
when your health was in jeopardy,
when the future looked bleak,
you never wavered.
You bore “crosses” and continued “harvesting souls”
from among your “tender mission plants.”
As you said, “What becomes of the ox that does not plough,
and without plowing there be a harvest.”
Help me to learn from your example
and remember that “God keeps His promise.
He will not let you be tested
beyond your strength (Corinthians 10:13).”

Say the following prayers…
Prayer For Our Holy Father ….
Novena Prayer ….
Litany of Saint Junipero Serra …

NOVENA SIXTH DAY
Meditation

Saint Junipero Serra,
you understood the power and grace of prayer,
especially when it is channeled into a Novena.
As Our Lord said, “Ask and you shall receive;
seek and you shall find;
knock and it shall be opened to you (Luke 11:9)”.
You knew that he would not forsake you in your hour of need.
As Saint Joseph was your special intercessor,
you are mine, and are able to intercede for me before God,
as long as I heed Our Lord’s admonition:
“You will receive all that you pray for,
provided you have faith (Matthew 21:22).”

Say the following prayers…
Prayer For Our Holy Father ….
Novena Prayer ….
Litany of Saint Junipero Serra …

NOVENA SEVENTH DAY
Meditation

Saint Junipero Serra,
you may have lived with spiritual eyes raised to Heaven,
but you knew that your primary goal of glorifying God
through the conversion of souls
could not be obtained without temporal feet
planted firmly on earth.
You risked your life to travel to Mexico
and then witnessed great success in the flowering of California.
Help me to effect change where possible,
accept limits when necessary,
and never to forget that God is the source of,
and reason for, everything I do.

Say the following prayers…
Prayer For Our Holy Father ….
Novena Prayer ….
Litany of Saint Junipero Serra …

NOVENA EIGHT DAY
Meditation

Saint Junipero Serra,
your long and bloodless martyrdom
ended in a holy and peaceful death.
Your promise to pray for us in Heaven
gives me great comfort
for I know you are protecting me.
Pray for me,
that I too may leave this world
with God’s grace and confidence,
worthy to share in the gift of Christ’s Resurrection.
May our souls,
and all the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God,
rest in peace.

Say the following prayers…
Prayer For Our Holy Father ….
Novena Prayer ….
Litany of Saint Junipero Serra …

NOVENA Ninth DAY
Meditation

Saint Junipero Serra,
you served God with humble confidence on earth
and because “whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Mt 23:12),
you now enjoy His beatific vision.
We thank God for raising you to the rank among the Saints
so that more people will drawn near and imitate you,
seek your powerful help,
and in doing so,
humble themselves,
that they may one day be exalted with you in eternal glory.

Say the following prayers…
Prayer For Our Holy Father ….
Novena Prayer ….
Litany of Saint Junipero Serra …