CALIFORNIA
St. Junipero Serra
Read the blog post about St. Junipero Serra. Known as the Apostle of California, St. Junipero Serra was canonized by Pope Francis at the National Basilica in Washington DC on September 23, 2015. You can visit his grave at the ninth mission he created in San Buenaventura, CA. More information is here. The mission is still an active parish and an there is an admission fee to visit the grounds and museum. Siempre adelante! Learn more here.
Venerable Alphonse Gallegos, OAR
More to come on this auxiliary bishop of Sacramento, CA, know as the "Bishop of the Barrios." He died in 1991. Learn more about his cause here.
Servant of God Ida Peterfy
Born in Hungary, Sister Ida would flee Nazism and Communism, finding her way to California. She founded the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Sister produced a children's TV show called The Sacred Heart Kid's Club that aired in the 1980s on Sunday mornings on KABC in Los Angeles. She died on February 8, 2000 in the Society’s Motherhouse in Northridge, California. Her cause was opened in 2015 with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Read more here.
Servant of God Magin Catala, OFM
Fr. Catala was a Franciscan missionary priest. He first arrived at Mission Santa Clara (which was founded by St. Junipero Serra) in 1796. He was known as a miracle worker. He died in 1830 and the Native Americans he served at the mission mourned his death greatly. Fr. Catala was said to have levitated while praying in front of the crucifix behind the altar. It is still in Mission Santa Clara Chapel today.
Fr. Catala's cause for canonization was opened in 1909 by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, but has stalled. The beatification records are in the library of Santa Clara University.
Canonization Prayer
O God, You sent Your holy servant, Father Magin Catalá, to preach Your gospel to Native Americans, and You inspired him to glorify Your holy name among them by the example of his eminent virtues.
We humbly ask You to honor Father Catalá on earth with the testimony of miracles performed through his intercession.
Grant us by his merits all manner of blessings. Fill our minds with the light of Your truth that, walking always in the way of Your commandments, we may come to eternal union with You.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
- Imprimatur + Patrick J. McGrath Bishop of San Jose
Servant of God Aloysius Ellacurioa
More to come. For now, read about his cause here.