Background: Blessed Junipero Serra, also knowns as the Apostle of California, was a Spanish Franciscan friar who came to America during the Spanish colonization period of the American West. Despite an injured leg and struggles with asthma, Blessed Junipero Serra was instrumental in the founding of over twenty Catholic missions and the conversions of thousands of natives. He is a patron saint of vocations. Although some native American groups are critical of treatment they received from the missions and transfer this criticism to Blessed Junipero Serra as their founder, it cannot be denied that Blessed Junipero Serra is largely responsible for the Catholic heritage held so deeply in the areas he converted.
Prayer for VocationsO God, Who will 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.