Saint Junipero Serra Religious Color Medal - 1 inch Size of a Quarter -Solid 14K White Gold

CHAIN IS NOT INCLUDED Available in Solid 10K &14K Yellow or White Gold, or Sterling Silver Size Reference: 17mm is the size of a US dime 19mm is the size of a US nickel 25mm is the size of a US quarter Junpero Serra Ferrer, was a Spanish Franciscan friar who founded a mission in Baja California and the first nine of 21 Spanish missions in California from San Diego to San Francisco, which at the time were in Alta California in the Province of Las Californias in New Spain. He began in San Diego on July 16, 1769, and established his headquarters near the Presidio of Monterey, but soon moved a few miles south to establish Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo in todays Carmel, California. The missions were primarily designed to bring the Catholic Christian faith to the native peoples. Other aims were to integrate the neophytes into Spanish society, and to train them to take over ownership and management of the land. As head of the order in California, Serra not only dealt with church officials, but also with Spanish officials in Mexico City and with the local military officers who commanded the nearby presidio (garrison). Serra was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988, and Pope Francis expects to canonize him in September 2015 during his first visit to the United States. This has been controversial with some of Native American extraction who criticize Serras treatment of their ancestors and associate him with the suppression of their culture. Serra will be Canonized into Sainthood by Pope Francis on his visit to Washington D.C. on Wednesday, September 23, 2015.