California Missions and their Saints
The Spanish missions in California comprise a series of religious and military outposts established by Spanish Catholics of the Franciscan Order between 1769 and 1823 to spread the Christian faith among the local Native Americans. The missions represented the first major effort by Europeans to colonize the Pacific Coast region, and gave Spain a valuable toehold in the frontier land. The settlers introduced European livestock, fruits, vegetables, cattle, horses and ranching into the California region; however, the Spanish occupation of California also brought with it serious negative consequences to the Native American populations with whom the missionaries came in contact. The government of Mexico shut down the missions in the 1830s. In the end, the mission had mixed results in its objective to convert, educate, and "civilize" the indigenous population and transforming the natives into Spanish colonial citizens. Today, the missions are among the state's oldest structures and the most-visited historic monuments. There are 21 missions.
| Spanish Name | English Name |
|---|---|
| La Purísima de Concepcíon | The Immaculate Conception |
| Nuestra Señora de Soledad | Our Lady of Solitude |
| San Antonio de Padua | St. Anthony of Padua |
| San Buenaventura San Buenaventura | St. Bonaventure |
| San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo | St. Charles Borromeo (of Carmel) |
| San Diego de Alcalá | St. Didacus of Alcala |
| San Fernando Rey de España | St. Ferdinand, King of Spain |
| San Francisco de Asís | St. Francis of Assisi |
| San Francisco Solano | St. Francis Solano |
| San Gabriel Arcángel | The Archangel Gabriel |
| San José de Guadalupe | St. Joseph |
| San Juan Bautista | St. John the Baptist |
| San Juan Capistrano | St. John of Capistrano |
| San Luis Obispo de Tolosa | St. Louis, Bishop of Toulose |
| San Luis Rey de Francia | St. Louis, King of France |
| San Miguel Arcángel | The Archangel Michael |
| San Rafael Arcángel | The Archangel Raphael |
| Santa Barbara | St. Barbara |
| Santa Clara de Asís | St. Claire of Assisi |
| Santa Cruz | Holy Cross |
| Santa Inés | St. Agnes |
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St. John Baptist Rossi
This holy priest was born in 1698 at the village of Voltaggio in the diocese of Genoa and was one of the four children of an excellent and highly respected couple. When he ws ten a nobleman and his wifre who were spending the summer at Voltaggio obtained permission from his parents to take him back with them to Genoa to be trained in their house. He remained ... continue reading
St. John Bosco
What do dreams have to with prayer? Aren't they just random images of our mind? In 1867 Pope Pius IX was upset with John Bosco because he wouldn't take his dreams seriously enough. Nine years earlier when Pope Pius IX met with the future saint who worked with neglected boys, he learned of the dreams that John had been having since the age of nine, dreams that ... continue reading
St. Bridget
St. Bridget arrived in Ireland a few years after St. Patrick. Her father was an Irish lord named Duptace. As Bridget grew up, she became holier and more pious each day. She loved the poor and would often bring food and clothing to them. One day she gave away a whole pail of milk, and then began to worry about what her mother would say. She prayed to the Lord ... continue reading
More Female Saints
St. Michael, the Archangel
St. Michael, the Archangel - Feast day - September 29th The name Michael signifies "Who is like to God?" and was the warcry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against satan and his followers. Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the chief princes," and leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. He has been ... continue reading
What's New
Catholic Online has updated its Saints page with thousands of new entries and updates! An ideal place to find everything you want to know about the saints. Whether you have a special devotion, an academic interest, or even just casual curiosity, this page is all you need.
St. Catherine of Sienna Calls Each One of Us to Love God Right Where We Are
While praying at Peter's tomb, she experienced the great weight of the Church fall on her shoulders, and she offered herself and her ... continue reading
The Vision of St. John Bosco and the Papacy of Benedict XVI
Does the heroic leadership of Pope Benedict XVI represent one more fulfillment of the prophetic vision of the Saint whose Feast we ... continue reading
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