Books with title Saint Junipero Serra's Camino: A Pilgrimage Guide to the California Missions

Travel Saint Junipero Serra’s Camino Real in California with a pilgrim’s heart—and this book in hand— and prepare to continue, in your own way, the forward journey that he began in the 1700s. You’ll make your way to 21 missions, stretching from San Diego to Sonoma north of San Francisco Bay. The more you seek, the more you will find. The more you ask, the more you will receive. Such is the nature of a pilgrimage. Each of the missions is a unique jewel and a spiritual oasis. Some are found wedged into cities; others are surrounded by mountains and valleys. They range from simple to ornate. The grounds are filled with bells, statues, fountains, and gardens, all symbols of life and feasts of color. Old Spanish mission art can be found next to Indian wall paintings. Symbols of piety from two centuries form a wonderful holy mix. But author Stephen J. Binz does not gloss over the sometimes-painful historical aspects of the missions. The mission histories are difficult reading, documenting mistreatment and uprisings. But despite the many flaws of the Spanish mission system, the gospel still found ways in these missions to break through to hurting communities—and it continues to break through today. For each of the 21 missions, this guide offers you the street address for your GPS, the mission’s website, a brief history of the place, the story of the mission’s patron or namesake, and information about the mission bells. You’ll be given a tour of the mission church, as well as a prayer service for your visit.But this book is much more than a simple travel guide. You’ll learn more about the life of Saint Junípero Serra, whose vision is responsible for this holy Camino. You’ll be enriched by two interwoven traditions: the Spanish Franciscan and the American Indian. You’ll find yourself becoming more committed to being a missionary disciple, always desiring to communicate the reason for the joy and hope that is within you. Let the journey begin.

Travel Saint Junipero Serra’s Camino Real in California with a pilgrim’s heart—and this book in hand— and prepare to continue, in your own way, the forward journey that he began in the 1700s. You’ll make your way to 21 missions, stretching from San Diego to Sonoma north of San Francisco Bay. The more you seek, the more you will find. The more you ask, the more you will receive. Such is the nature of a pilgrimage. Each of the missions is a unique jewel and a spiritual oasis. Some are found wedged into cities; others are surrounded by mountains and valleys. They range from simple to ornate. The grounds are filled with bells, statues, fountains, and gardens, all symbols of life and feasts of color. Old Spanish mission art can be found next to Indian wall paintings. Symbols of piety from two centuries form a wonderful holy mix. But author Stephen J. Binz does not gloss over the sometimes-painful historical aspects of the missions. The mission histories are difficult reading, documenting mistreatment and uprisings. But despite the many flaws of the Spanish mission system, the gospel still found ways in these missions to break through to hurting communities—and it continues to break through today. For each of the 21 missions, this guide offers you the street address for your GPS, the mission’s website, a brief history of the place, the story of the mission’s patron or namesake, and information about the mission bells. You’ll be given a tour of the mission church, as well as a prayer service for your visit. But this book is much more than a simple travel guide. You’ll learn more about the life of Saint Junípero Serra, whose vision is responsible for this holy Camino. You’ll be enriched by two interwoven traditions: the Spanish Franciscan and the American Indian. You’ll find yourself becoming more committed to being a missionary disciple, always desiring to communicate the reason for the joy and hope that is within you. Let the journey begin.A 2018 Catholic Press Association Book Award winner.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of California fourth-graders embark on a fascinating journey of discovery called The California Mission Project. This project introduces kids and their families to the life and work of the Franciscan priest and founder Junipero Serra, whose vision and leadership established what ultimately became a network of 21 missions (built between 1769 and 1823) that shaped the life of early California and a history and culture that thrives to the present day. On September 23rd, 2015, Pope Francis named Junipero Serra a saint--America's first Latino saint--calling him "one of the founding fathers of the United States and a special patron of the Hispanic people of the country."Award-winning writer and historian Gregory Orfalea offers this lively guide for students and their families to the life, missions and legacy of Junipero Serra. Beginning with Serra's birth in Mallorca, Spain, and tracing his exciting, danger-filled, journey of nearly 20,000 miles across sea and land--much of that on a painfully infected foot--Orfalea takes us step by step through the New World he helped to shape.Orfalea shows how a poor farmer's son became an inspired priest and explorer, standing as a leader seeking to protect California's Native Americans from the often brutal Spanish soldiers as he sought to bring them a better life. This guide will help students and their families understand Serra and his world as it guides them in their own discovery of California's historic missions. Advance Praise:“Every California 4th grade teacher searches for ways to bring the story of the missions alive. Orfalea, the author of the breakthrough biography from Scribner, brings the story of Serra and the missions alive. Our 4th graders were gripped by the stories of Serra, celebrating his inspiration and courage, while showing his flaws in a sensitive way that respects our vital Native American heritage. Parents will be equally engaged by the guide to the California missions—it’s truly a family read!”—Mark Palmerston, Executive Director, Santa Ynez (Public) Charter School“In writing about Junípero Serra, Gregory Orfalea brings substance and perspective to an accessible narrative about one of California's definitive historical figures. Combined with a thorough reference guide to celebrate each of the state's 21 missions, this book addresses Serra's role in shaping California's history with the type of skill and enthusiasm that will make it appealing to a wide variety of readers. Better than any other resource I know, Orfalea's book distills Serra's complicated story to a meaningful text for children without losing any of the nuance that makes it such a gripping tale.”—Jason Anklowitz, Principal, Calthorp School, Santa Monica“Accessible to a wide range of readers, Orfalea’s biography of America’s newest saint acknowledges difficult issues while remaining appropriately family-friendly. Like biographers of old, Orfalea is ultimately most concerned about matters of character. His telling of Father Serra’s life does justice both to the hardships that Serra faced, and the courage and deep faith that sustained his efforts.”—Dr. Andrew Mullen, Professor of Education, Westmont College and Former Chair, Children’s Book Council and Committee on Notable Books in Social Studies“A Franciscan with an apostle’s heart and a discoverer’s spirit, St. Junípero Serra spent nearly 40 years in the mid-1700s spreading the Gospel, defending the native peoples, and laying the foundations for a vibrant civil society and Christian civilization, first in Mexico and later in California. Gregory Orfalea has long been one of our finest historians of the life and times of St. Junípero. His new book offers an excellent introduction that will be a great resource for parents, students, teachers — and will inspire all of us who seek to continue the mission of bringing God’s mercy and love to the Americas.”—Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Archbisho

Every year, hundreds of thousands of California fourth-graders embark on a fascinating journey of discovery called The California Mission Project. This project introduces kids and their families to the life and work of the Franciscan priest and founder Junipero Serra, whose vision and leadership established what ultimately became a network of 21 missions (built between 1769 and 1823) that shaped the life of early California and a history and culture that thrives to the present day. On September 23rd, 2015, Pope Francis named Junipero Serra a saint--America's first Latino saint--calling him "one of the founding fathers of the United States and a special patron of the Hispanic people of the country."Award-winning writer and historian Gregory Orfalea offers this lively guide for students and their families to the life, missions and legacy of Junipero Serra. Beginning with Serra's birth in Mallorca, Spain, and tracing his exciting, danger-filled, journey of nearly 20,000 miles across sea and land--much of that on a painfully infected foot--Orfalea takes us step by step through the New World he helped to shape.Orfalea shows how a poor farmer's son became an inspired priest and explorer, standing as a leader seeking to protect California's Native Americans from the often brutal Spanish soldiers as he sought to bring them a better life. This guide will help students and their families understand Serra and his world as it guides them in their own discovery of California's historic missions.Advance Praise“Every California 4th grade teacher searches for ways to bring the story of the missions alive. Orfalea, the author of the breakthrough biography from Scribner, brings the story of Serra and the missions alive. Our 4th graders were gripped by the stories of Serra, celebrating his inspiration and courage, while showing his flaws in a sensitive way that respects our vital Native American heritage. Parents will be equally engaged by the guide to the California missions—it’s truly a family read!”—Mark Palmerston, Executive Director, Santa Ynez (Public) Charter School“In writing about Junípero Serra, Gregory Orfalea brings substance and perspective to an accessible narrative about one of California's definitive historical figures. Combined with a thorough reference guide to celebrate each of the state's 21 missions, this book addresses Serra's role in shaping California's history with the type of skill and enthusiasm that will make it appealing to a wide variety of readers. Better than any other resource I know, Orfalea's book distills Serra's complicated story to a meaningful text for children without losing any of the nuance that makes it such a gripping tale.”—Jason Anklowitz, Principal, Calthorp School, Santa Monica“Accessible to a wide range of readers, Orfalea’s biography of America’s newest saint acknowledges difficult issues while remaining appropriately family-friendly. Like biographers of old, Orfalea is ultimately most concerned about matters of character. His telling of Father Serra’s life does justice both to the hardships that Serra faced, and the courage and deep faith that sustained his efforts.”—Dr. Andrew Mullen, Professor of Education, Westmont College and Former Chair, Children’s Book Council Committee on Notable Books in Social Studies“A Franciscan with an apostle’s heart and a discoverer’s spirit, St. Junípero Serra spent nearly 40 years in the mid-1700s spreading the Gospel, defending the native peoples, and laying the foundations for a vibrant civil society and Christian civilization, first in Mexico and later in California. Gregory Orfalea has long been one of our finest historians of the life and times of St. Junípero. His new book offers an excellent introduction that will be a great resource for parents, students, teachers — and will inspire all of us who seek to continue the mission of bringing God’s mercy and love to the Americas.”—Most Reverend José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles