Dear Friend,
Soon after Pope Francis announced in early 2015 that Bl. Junípero Serra would be canonized, I began a journey of discovery leading to writing four books (two of which received Catholic Media Association Book Awards), many articles, presenting to groups, and walking the 800-mile California Missions Trail. It was exciting to see that the name chosen for the western route of the Eucharistic Pilgrimage from San Francisco to Indianapolis was named after St. Junípero Serra! So apropos.
Last summer, I had the pleasure of speaking to participants of the Camino Serra. A thank you letter from them captures the essence of why I do what I do.
As a first time pilgrim, it was comforting to hear about the Camino from a pro! We all loved the introduction on St. Junipero Serra and the adoration reflection was beautiful. As a teacher, I am excited to order the children’s book for my classroom so all my students can learn about this beautiful saint.
2025 should be a year full of many opportunities to speak and write about St. Junípero Serra. It marks the 10th anniversary of his canonization and the 10th anniversary of my little apostolate.
I am so grateful for your continued support. Thank you.
Below is a recap of what I did in 2024.
- I was interviewed by . . .
Dr. Marcus Peter on Ave Maria Radio
Bear Woznick on EWTN Radio
Jen and Bruce on Spirit Catholic Radio
Bradley Vickers of the Catholic Diocese of Savannah (not released yet) - I wrote in . . .
National Catholic Register
Central Coast Catholic - I was a guest speaker at the following . . .
Camino Serra, Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA - The petition to nominate Pablo Tac for the cause of canonization is close to 700 signatures!
Merry Christmas! ¡Feliz Navidad! عيد ميلاد سعيد!Maligayang Pasko! Bon Nadal! Feliz Natal! Fröhliche Weihnachten!Felicem natalem Christi!
Happy New Year! ¡Feliz año nuevo! สวัสดีปีใหม่! Maligayang bagong taon! Bon any nou! Felice anno nuovo! Bonne année!
Saint Junípero Serra and Pablo Tac, pray for us!
¡Siempre adelante y nunca para atrás! #GoGoStJunipero #PabloTacPray4Us!
—
Christian Clifford
www.Missions1769.com
Author/ Educator/ Freelance Writer / Speaker
PABLO TAC PETITION / FB / X / IG / TikTok / Linkedin / Goodreads / Amazon / flickr / Quoura

California mission history doesn’t need to be puzzling. Learn more with books by Christian Clifford @ Missions1769.com.