Junipero Serra

[aball1035]

Forgive me in advance if this is the wrong section, but I’m not sure where to post historical questions.

I read on the ever-reliable Wikipedia that Junipero Serra was kind of a harsh man. It said

Many Indians and academics have condemned the decision of Pope John Paul II to beatify Serra. They point to the harsh conditions of mission life and Serra’s own justification of beatings. (In 1780, Serra wrote: “that spiritual fathers should punish their sons, the Indians, with blows appears to be as old as the conquest of the Americas; so general in fact that the saints do not seem to be any exception to the rule.”)

What do you all think of him?

 

[ChurchTorch]

Forgive me in advance if this is the wrong section, but I’m not sure where to post historical questions.

I read on the ever-reliable Wikipedia that Junipero Serra was kind of a harsh man. It said

Many Indians and academics have condemned the decision of Pope John Paul II to beatify Serra. They point to the harsh conditions of mission life and Serra’s own justification of beatings. (In 1780, Serra wrote: “that spiritual fathers should punish their sons, the Indians, with blows appears to be as old as the conquest of the Americas; so general in fact that the saints do not seem to be any exception to the rule.”)

What do you all think of him?

The Blessed Serra is a future saint. I might be biased as he founded my parish in the 18th century though… All kidding aside, I have studied this man’s life at the graduate level and he was truly remarkable at many levels. His faith, spirituality, intellect, etc. was truly stunning. More than one miracle is attributed to him.

The ways of the late 18th century in remote Alta California are not accepted ways today in the eyes of many. Sometimes maybe they should be. In the end Serra was the instrument in which God brought MANY people to him and that’s all that really counts

He also laid a firm foundation for Catholicism here in California. We never became another “bible belt” thanks be to God through the Blessed Serra.

 

[aball1035]

The Blessed Serra is a future saint. I might be biased as he founded my parish in the 18th century though… All kidding aside, I have studied this man’s life at the graduate level and he was truly remarkable at many levels. His faith, spirituality, intellect, etc. was truly stunning. More than one miracle is attributed to him.

The ways of the late 18th century in remote Alta California are not accepted ways today in the eyes of many. Sometimes maybe they should be. In the end Serra was the instrument in which God brought MANY people to him and that’s all that really counts

He also laid a firm foundation for Catholicism here in California. We never became another “bible belt” thanks be to God through the Blessed Serra.

By “Bible Belt”, do you mean Protestant?

 

[Moscati]

It sounds harsh to modern sensibilities, but corporal punishment of disciples was common practice for a long, long time. I think it’s mentioned in The Rule of St. Benedict, for one.

I don’t know anything about this particular Blessed, but I wouldn’t say he was necessarily too far out there, considering the customs of the time.

 

[Genesis315]

Corporal punishment has been practiced since time immemorial. There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with it. Even into the late 1980s it was used in public schools where I lived.

 

[Malleus_01]

I lived in San Diego from 1966 until 1999. Father Serra is renouned in California. As with any Catholic Saint (to be) there will always be detractors. But when we speak about any Historic figure - we should view him with eyes to the norms and customs of the days in which they lived. Keep in mind - he lived in a very dangerous and primitive time. So if we must make a determination - then take that into consideration as well. Several things are named after him. To me - he is a heroic figure.

Pax

 

[selylidne]

I read on the ever-reliable Wikipedia that Junipero Serra was kind of a harsh man. It said

Many Indians and academics have condemned the decision of Pope John Paul II to beatify Serra.

There are many saints that we don’t recommend you emulate every aspect of their lives, but who nonetheless showed heroic virtue.

Sometimes I look at it this way: God can save Bl. Serra despite his harshness, St. Augustine despite his misogyny, St. Thomas the Apostle despite his doubt, St. Thomas Aquinas despite his gluttony, St. Joan of Arc despite her nationalism and violence, and so on. All the more glory to the grace of God, hope of all us sinners!