Born in Spains island of Mallorca, Serra entered the Franciscan Order, taking the name of St. Francis childlike companion, Brother Juniper. Until he was 35, he spent most of his time in the classroomfirst as a student of theology and then as a professor. He also became famous for his preaching. Suddenly he gave it all up and followed the yearning that had begun years before when he heard about the missionary work of St. Francis Solanus in South America. Juniperos desire was to convert native peoples in the New World.
Arriving by ship at Vera Cruz, Mexico, he and a companion walked the 250 miles to...