Saturday, November 1, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
In celebration of the founding of this Mission,
we will host a Mission Model competition. This competition is open
to school-aged children throughout Southern California.
To participate, please call (949) 234-1317 and
sign up in the Events Office. Then bring your model to the Mission
between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November
1st. A panel of judges will choose the best models, and prizes will
be awarded.
“Please join us!”
Founders Day ceremony includes the reading of
the founding document and children from the Mission Parish will
ring the small bells. There will also be free cake and lemonade
for guests.
History of Founders Day
Father Serra was born Miguel Joseph Serra, in
Petra, Spain, on the island of Majorca, on November 24, 1713. When
he was ordained a Franciscan priest in 1738, he took the name Junipero.
At this time in Mexico City, plans were being made to assign missionaries
to work among the Indians of New Spain. Father Serra asked to be
allowed to serve as a missionary.
In 1768 Spain decided to colonize upper California,
and Father Serra was chosen to lead the Missionaries to teach Christianity
to the Indians of the area. On March 28, 1769 Father Serra began
the Portola Expedition on mule back.
After a long three month journey, Father Serra
and the Portola riders reached the site of the first Mission, at
San Diego. On July 16, 1769, Father Junipero Serra raised the cross
of Christ and founded the first of the 21 Missions in California.
Several Missions were founded one by one. On
November 1, 1776, Father Serra founded the seventh Mission which
is named in honor of Saint John of Capistrano. Our Mission is the
only one which has the Serra Chapel, the oldest existing building
in California, where Father Serra actually celebrated mass and administered
the sacraments. Mission San Juan Capistrano is affectionately referred
to as the "Jewel of the Missions" because it is so beautiful.
