Mallorca Council Honors JunÍpero Serra In California
The Californer/10333486

SAN FRANCISCO - Californer -- The Mallorca Council is paying tribute to Junípero Serra in California to mark the 10th anniversary of his canonization. On Monday, December 1st, President Llorenç Galmés, accompanied by a Mallorcan delegation, visited the tomb of the Mallorcan saint located in the basilica of Mission San Carlos Borromeo, one of the missions founded by Serra himself.

Galmés explained that the purpose of this official trip is to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Father Serra's canonization and to reaffirm and reframe his legacy, presenting him as a fundamental figure in the history of both Mallorca and the United States. The President emphasized the importance of ensuring "that this legacy is understood and appreciated as a whole, within its historical context, highlighting the multifaceted nature of his work."

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The delegation traveling to California includes representatives from the Mallorca Council, such as the Vice President and Minister of Culture and Heritage, Antònia Roca, and the Island Director of Culture, Guillem Ginard, as well as other institutions, including Llorenç Bauzá , Fifth Deputy Mayor for Natural Environment, Healthy Surroundings, Markets and Innovation of Palma City Council; Salvador Femenias, Mayor of Petra; and Catalina Font, President of the Casa Serra Foundation.

A moving tribute at his resting place

The delegation led by President Galmés traveled to Carmel-by-the-Sea, where they were welcomed at Mission San Carlos Borromeo by Mayor Dale Byrne, who also took part in the ceremony. Participants visited the mission museum with Father Murphy and attended a commemorative Mass. The event concluded with a floral offering at the tomb of the Mallorcan saint, accompanied by a musical tribute: a song by Jaume Anglada dedicated to Junípero Serra, based on the letter he wrote to his parents before departing for California.

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Galmés reminded attendees that Serra "is one of the most significant figures in our history—the most universal Mallorcan. Despite the controversy that surrounds him, Junípero Serra remains a symbol of our identity and a point of connection between Mallorca and California."

He highlighted Serra's lasting impact on the California missions and the history of the United States, noting that he fostered relationships between cultures and religions and founded what are today major cities and towns in California, including Carmel-by-the-Sea and San Francisco. Galmés stressed that Serra's work must be viewed in its historical context: "Father
Serra defended cultures and languages, and put his own physical safety at risk to protect Indigenous communities at a time when they were being persecuted."