Jul. 1 Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time; Optional Memorial of Saint Junipero Serra, priest (USA); St. Oliver Plunket, bishop & martyr (some places), Opt. Mem.

Miguel Jose Serra was born on the island of Mallorca, Spain. He took the name Junipero when he entered the Franciscan Order in 1730. Ordained in 1737, he taught philosophy and theology at the University of Padua for twelve years. At age 37, he went to Mexico City where he spent the rest of his life working for the conversion of the peoples of the New World. Largely responsible for the spread of the Church on the West Coast of the United States, Junipero founded 21 missions and converted thousands of Native Americans.