Blessed Junipero was named Miguel Jose when he was born, he took the name Junipero when he became a brother with the Franciscans at 17 years old. Junipero was a good friend of St. Francis. As Junipero studied to become a priest, he read a lot of stories of the Saints. The ones he loved the most were the saints who were missionaries and brought the Good News of Jesus to those who had never heard it before. He decided that if God would allow it, he would become a missionary. After 20 years of being a priest and a teacher he was allowed to go to “New Spain” (now Mexico and California) to bring Jesus to the people living there. It was a long journey across the Atlantic Ocean in a boat and the Friars finally arrived in Mexico on December 6, 1749. Not long after they arrived Junipero was bit by an insect that made his leg swell up and made it difficult for him to walk. Junipero never complained and he walked far and wide to make sure that many people heard about Jesus and gave their life to Him. Junipero started 21 missions in Mexico and later in California, they told people about God, they took care of their needs and taught them many things about farming and other important things needed to live. His missions baptized 6,000 people who got to know Jesus because Junipero said yes to God’s call.
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