St. Junipero Serra Wooden Doll Ornament

Handmade original St. Junipero Serra Wooden Doll Ornament. Perfect for the Christmas Tree. Bring out on his feast day. Gift for a birthday or sacrament (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Marriage) celebration. Teacher, priest, grandparent gift.

Feast Day: July 1

Born in 1713 on the Spanish island of Mallorca, a Franciscan friar who yearned to convert native peoples in the New World. Arriving by ship at Vera Cruz, Mexico at 35, he and a companion walked 250 miles to Mexico City, incurring a leg infection that remained the rest of his life. For 18 years he worked in central Mexico and the Baja Peninsula, but when King Charles III of Spain ordered a northern expedition, Junipero was asked to join in. He founded Mission San Juan Capistrano, now famous for its annually returning swallows, the 7th of nine Spanish missions in California established by him, with 12 more after his death. He settled differences between the military and the Indians with the “Regulation” protecting Native Americans’ rights; after baptism, friars were their legal guardians and housed them at the missions for protection. In addition to sharing the faith, he taught them agriculture, cattle raising and arts/crafts.

Patron of vocations, California

Made of wood, felt, ribbon, and handmade accessories. Includes tag and card with Saint description. Approximately 4" tall. Packaged in cellophane bag. Shipped in box with bubble wrap.