July 1 - Prayer to Junipero Serra

               O missionary of the New World

               inspired to leave your classroom

               and go forth to win souls for Christ,

               despite continuous battles

               with cold and hunger

               and long journeys with an injured leg,

               praying throughout the night

               you persevered and stayed

               with the thousands you baptized

               into the fold of Mother Church,

               bringing them not only the gift of faith

               but better living conditions as well;

               fighting ever against the military powers

               that would have brought only slaughter,

               you gained rights for these natives

               in the missions of California –

               pray we shall have

               the same zeal for souls

               that, thinking not of ourselves

               and without concern for any suffering,

               we may bear the image of our Lord

               to the ends of the earth

               so all might come to salvation.