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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Patron Saints by Alphabet
St. Celestine
When the father of this Italian saint died, his good mother brought up her twelve children well, even though they were very poor. "Oh, if I could only have the joy of seeing one of you become a saint!" she use to say. Once when she asked as usual, "which one of you is going to become a saint?" little Peter (who was to become Pope Celestine) ... continue reading
St. Dominic Savio
St. Dominic Savio was born in Italy in 1842. One day when he was just four, he disappeared and his good mother went looking for him. She found the little fellow in a corner praying with his hands joined and his head bowed. He already knew all his prayers by heart! At five, he was an altar boy. When he was seven, he received his First Holy Communion. On that ... continue reading
St. Joan of Arc
St. Joan of Arc is the patroness of soldiers and of France. On January 6, 1412, Joan of Arc was born to pious parents of the French peasant class, at the obscure village of Domremy, near the province of Lorraine. At a very early age, she heard voices: those of St. Michael, St. Catherine and St. Margaret. At first the messages were personal and general. ... continue reading
More Female Saints
St. Gabriel, the Archangel
The name Gabriel means "man of God," or "God has shown himself mighty." It appears first in the prophesies of Daniel in the Old Testament. The angel announced to Daniel the prophecy of the seventy weeks. His name also occurs in the apocryphal book of Henoch. He was the angel who appeared to Zachariah to announce the birth of St. John the Baptizer. Finally, he ... 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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