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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 December 2015
Fray Francisco Palóu, O.F.M. immortalized himself and his hero when he wrote and published his Relación Histórica de la Vida y Apostólicas Tareas del Venerable Padre Fray Junípero Serra. The intimacy between author and hero through the years 1740 and 1784, began in the latter’s classroom at Palma, Mallorca, and ended at his deathbed in Carmel, California. The friendly association of Serra and Palóu continued undiminished in the pursuit of scholarship, the Franciscan way of life, travel and pioneering, the founding and administration of missions, in correspondence and mútual counsel. The younger man survived. Being author as well as missionary, he followed the impulse to write and to record for posterity the classic story of the founding of a famous mission field and to delineate the heroic deeds of its dominating personality. The Vida was the flowering of a fine, fraternal friendship.
1 Printed in Mexico, in 1787. The original script is lost. However, parts of the last two chapters, together with the index, of the Vida, in Palóu’s hand, have recently been found in Mexico. The text is somewhat different from the printed version and is probably Palóu’s original or blotter. A photostat copy of this blotter is in the Santa Barbara Mission Archives. Throughout this article Palóu’s work will be referred to simply as the Vida. With regard to the pronunciation of Palóu’s family name, we shall follow the Mallorcan pronunciation: with accent on the ó, the only acceptable pronunciation in Mallorca, the land of his birth.
2 Vida, Introduction. The introduction is without pagination.
3 “Crónica Seráfica de la Santa Provincia de Mallorca de la Regular Observancia de N. S. P. S. Francisco.” The original, never printed, is in the Archive of the Convento de San Francisco, Palma, Mallorca.
4 Because of the secularization laws passed in Spain during the 30’s of the past century, the friars lost much property and many documents. As a result many of the latter have been scattered and lost. In the case of San Francisco de Palma, however, many documents were entrusted by the friars to the family of the Marqués de Desbrull, to be kept until such times as the friars might return to Palma. The writer of this article was privileged to study this collection in Palma, in January, 1947, through the courtesy of Señor Nicolás Villalonga, who is the present faithful custodian.
5 The thesis was sent to Old Mission Santa Barbara, by Mrs. Inés Callahan, mother of the deceased Father Callahan, to be used in the Serra cause with permission to publish it. It appeared serially in the Provincial Annals, commencing with Vol. IV, July, 1942. The Provincial Annals is a quarterly, published by the Franciscans of the Province of St. Barbara, and is limited to distribution among the friars.
6 In most of the Mallorcan documents between 1713 and 1749, Serra is spelled Serre, the final e, according to our Mallorcan informants, being pronounced but very slightly. Thus it will be found in his baptismal record in Petra, in most of the records of the Convento de San Francisco and those of the Lullian University. The form, Serra, however, is found at times. At least on two occasions, Junípero in his own hand, spelled his family name Sierra. All are variants of the same name, and mean a saw. Sierra is the regular Castilian, Serra Catalonian, and Serre old Mallorcan. The saw is the emblem found on the coat-of-arms of the titled branch of the Serra family and is found carved in stone on the Serra statue in Petra. Both Serra’s father and Junípero are referred to at times as members of the Serra Delmau or simply, Delmau family. Delmau is an added name or sobrenombre. In the confraternity records at Petra, the father is called Antoni Serra Delmau. In 1749, Junípero was referred to simply as the “Lector Junípero Delmau.” “Llibre de actes de ca’n Riutort,” Petra.
7 In many instances there are duplicate ecclesiastical records in Mallorca, one of which, the original, is retained in the parish of its origin; the other, a copy, is kept in the bishop’s archives in Palma. In the case of the registers of baptism for the parish of St. Peter, Petra, there are two such records. The original at Petra states that Serra was born at one in the morning: “a la una depres de mitje nit;” the copy in the bishop’s archives, states that Serra was born at one in the afternoon: “a la una depres del mitg dia.” Palóu, in his Vida, follows the version of the original register, p. 1.
8 Many photographs in the United States purporting to show the Serra house, reveal the original house chosen as Serra’s birthplace on which a plaque to that effect was placed, July 20, 1913, with the inscription: “Casa donde nació el V. P. Fr. Junípero Serra, 1713–1784.” See Bosquejo Histórico (Felanix, 1913), pp. 177–181, by Rev. Francisco Torrens y Nicolau. This house is still standing on what was formerly Nos. 46–48 Calle Botellas. However, further research in the Parish Archives of Petra revealed that the wrong house had been chosen and the mistake was rectified. The true Serra home is located at No. 6, Calle Barracas, a street name unchanged since Serra’s boyhood days. The plaque on the wrongly-identified house was taken down. A new one, with the inscription: “Casa Solariega del V. Fr. Junípero Serra, Apóstol de California, 1713–1748” was placed on the facade of No. 6, Calle Barracas. This latter is the house which was presented to the City of San Francisco by the Rotary Club of Mallorca in 1934. The official deed of transfer is in the City Hall, San Francisco, a photostat copy of which is in the SBMA.
9 The present church of San Bernardino was dedicated in November, 1672. It was considered “the pearl of all the churches of the province.” Callahan, “Early Life of Serra” Chap. I. At present the church is not in use because of the danger of falling stones from weakened arches.
10 No details as to the exact curriculum in this friars’ school are available. Latin, music, and mathematics, however, were undoubtedy taught.
11 Palóu, Vida, 2.
12 Ibid.
13 This church and one quadrangle of the convent are still in use, the Franciscan Fathers of the Third Order Regular (T.O.R.) being in charge. At the same time the convent is a national monument so designated by the Spanish Government. Though the friars were in Mallorca shortly after the re-conquest by Jaime I, they did not occupy the present site of San Francisco until July 1, 1279. Callahan, op. cit., Chap. II.
14 Fray Antonio Perelló was one of the distinguished members of the Franciscan Province of Mallorca and merited from the pen of Bordoy a special biography in the “Crónica.” A native of Petra, he attained renown for learning and holiness. He was a celebrated preacher, a distinguished theologian, and was zealous in the apostolate of souls. He obtained the doctorate both in philosophy and theology and taught both subjects. Perelló was twice elected guardian of San Francisco, once custos of the province and three times provincial. He was also synodal examiner for the bishop. He was visitor general for the Provinces of Valencia, Catalonia, and Mallorca. In 1740 he became definitor general. He died February 1, 1748, at the age of 75, sixty of which were spent in the Franciscan Order.
15 Palóu describes Serra as diminutive in size as a youth, of medium height after his novitiate but in the Sierra Gorda as shorter than the Indians. Vida, pp. 295. The Board of Trade in Cádiz in 1749, described him as of “estatura mediana.” Legajo 5546, Contratación, segunda sección, Archivo General de Indias, Seville
16 The title “Convento de Jesús” is a shortened form for “Convento de Santa María de los Angeles de Jesús.” Here the same tendency is noted as in the abbreviated form of Los Angeles, California, for El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora, Reina de Los Angeles.” The cornerstone was laid in 1441. The building as such, however, did not pass into the hands of the friars until 1567. The building no longer exists. Callahan, op. cit., Chap. II.
17 “Libro Sexto de los Capítulos, Congregaciones y Decretos de esta Santa Provincia de Mallorca, empezado el 11 de Julio de 1720.” Desbrull Collection.
18 This is based on a statement by Fray Seraphin Hebot, O.F.M., after 1730. Archivo del Ayuntamiento, Palma.
19 Callahan, op. cit., Chap. III.
20 Tomo 20, “Libro de Matrícula de los Licenciados Escotistas desde 1718 anevant.” Instituto Nacional Ramón Lull. Palma.
21 Also written Casteyo.
22 “Libro de Matricula,” etc.
23 The University of Palma was called “Imperial and Royal” from the time of Charles V, in 1526. Pope Clement V also approved the statutes in 1673. Thenceforth the university was also called “Pontifical.” In the fullness of its privileges it was referred to as “the Pontifical, Imperial, Royal and Literary University of Mallorca.” Altogether there were 32 students in the class, 17 Franciscans, 2 seminarians for the secular priesthood, and 13 lay students. The ages of the friars are not given. Presumably they were about Serra’s age, 17. The average age of the others was 16 years, 8 months. Callahan, op. cit., Chap. IV.
24 “Libro de Matricula,” etc.
25 Neither the documents of the Desbrull Collection nor those remaining at San Francisco give any clue. See also note 18.
26 “Matricula de Ordes de 1730 fins 1743” and “Licencias de Predicadores y Confesores y Licencias de Oratoriis de 1731–1743.”
27 Matricula de Ordes,” etc. Santa Margarita is north of the town of Petra.
28 Ibid.
29 Ibid.
30 Ibid. Ordinations on the day preceding were also held in the bishop’s chapel at Palma.
31 Palóu, Vida, 4.
32 “Licencias de Predicadores,” etc.
33 Palóu, Vida, 4.
34 This painting, done at the request of Palóu, and paid for by Bishop Rafael Verger, O. F. M., now hangs in the castle of Chapultepec, Mexico, D. F., in a sala depicting the spiritual conquest of New Spain.
35 “Libro Sexto de los Capítulos,” etc.
36 Ibid.
37 “Libro de Matriculas,” There were 7 Franciscans, 2 seminarians, and 19 seculars. The average age of the two latter classes was I6Y2. The youngest was 14, the oldest 19. They included students from every section of Mallorca, and one from Valencia. One was from Petra. Twenty of these remained with him for the second year, twenty-two of the original class studied under him through the third year. Five new ones were added to the class in the third year.
38 Crespi (with the accent on the i) is the only acceptable pronunciation of the name in Mallorca.
39 “Libro de Matricula,” etc.
40 Palóu, Vida, Introduction.
41 Palóu’s New California (ed. Herbert E. Bolton), I, 312 (Berkeley, Calif., 1926). The reference is to the meeting of Palóu and Crespi at Monterey in 1773. Both Palóu and Crespi were natives of Palma, Palóu being from the Parish of Santa Eulalia, Crespi from the Parish of San Jaume. From biographical data of the friars in the SBMA.
42 San Francisco was probably affiliated with the university, hence these formal lists were required by the latter.
43 The full title of this valuable manuscript is “Compendium Scoticum elaboratum tamquam ab auctore a Patre Fratre Junípero Serra et tamquam ab scriptore a Francisco Noguera studente in conventu Seraphici Patris Nostri Sancti Francisci ab Assissio. Fuit inceptum luce nona mensis Septembris anno a Nativitate Domini nostri 1740.” The discovery was made by Fr. Estarás of the San Felipe community. Fr. Miguel Batlliori, S.J., of Montesión College, Palma, photographed the entire document for the writer.
44 “O passi graviora, dabit deus his quoque finem.” From Virgil’s Aeneid, Book I, line 199. “Jove will soon dispose To future good our past and present woes.” Dryden’s translation as presented in Harvard Classics, Vol. 13, p. 80. (Edition of 1909 by Charles W. Eliot).
45 “Compendium Scoticum,” folio 402.
46 Ibid.
47 Book of Deaths, Mission San Carlos, entry 247, in the hand of Serra. The register is in the Chancery Archives, Fresno, Calif.
48 Ibid., entry 381, in the hand of Palóu. Chancery Archives.
49 Noguera’s note is as follows: “Dia 13 Abril de 1749 se partiran para Mexico, ahont havian de exercitar lo offici de missionistas para reducir infaels a nostre fe Catholica y Santa, al M.R.P. Fr. Junípero Serre, Lector de Philosophia y al present Cathedratich de prima de Theologia, y al molt R.P. Fr. Francesch Palou, lector de Philosophia, y dexeble del sobre dit lector, este natural de Ciutat, y al primer natural de la vila de Petra de la orde del S.P.S. Francesch; animae eorum in pace requiescant. Amen, perque no pens tornarlos veuer. Notat per mi Francesch Noguera subdiaca dexeble de Philosophia y Theologia del primer y condexeble de lo altre; et amicus alter ego illorum. 13 Abril 1749.”
50 Callahan, op. cit., Chap. IV.
51 Statement of Fray Antonio Ramis, O.F.M., Palma, March 14, 1772. Tomo 24. In Biblioteca Provincial, Palma.
52 The class of Prima was taught in the morning; that of Vespertina in the afternoon. The records of the Franciscan Province of Mallorca for the years 1744 and 1746, show respectively three and five Franciscans engaged at teaching in the university. Desbrull Collection.
53 Tomo 24, Biblioteca Provincial.
54 “Actes de Bachille y Graus de Theologia de la Universidad Litteraria y Estudio General Lulliana desde 1738 fins en 1751.” Tomo 33, Instituto Nacional Ramón lull.
55 Dates of Serra’s appointment and of his departure for the Indies.
56 Palóu, Vida, 5.
57 “Actes de Bachiller,” etc.
58 Palóu, Vida, 5.
59 Description is from Callahan, op. cit., based on an original document in the Biblioteca Provincial, Palma.
60 Palóu, Vida, 5.
61 “Poliza para el pago de los gastos de fiestas dedicadas al Beato Ramón Lull 1701–1765,” in Instituto Nacional Ramón Lull.
62 Palóu, Vida, 5–6.
63 Ibid., 5–6; 9. Concerning this last, there is also a reference to his preaching in Lent at Petra in 1749 in the “Llibre de actes de ca’n Riutort,” Petra.
64 These volumes are still in the Convento de San Francisco.
65 Since the friars handled no money personally, all such financial transactions were handled by a layman, known as the syndic.
66 Information proffered by the T.O.R. Community of Palma.
67 “Llibre de actes de ca’n Riutort.”
68 “Miscelaneas Históricas relativas a Mallorca” by Padre Luís de Villafranca, O. F. M., Cap., Vol. 10, 1830, in Biblioteca Vivot, Palma.
69 “Libre de Auditions de Comtes de la Confraria del Roser del Any 1622.”
70 Fray Juan Bestard, O.F.M., was born at Palma, November 28, 1763, of a distinguished family. Having become a Franciscan in the Province of Mallorca, he obtained the doctorate in philosophy and theology. Shortly after ordination, he sailed for the Indies and in 1786 was assigned to mission work. He founded the Apostolic College of Orizaba for which the viceroy had given permission June 3, 1795. Bestard returned to Spain in 1805, 1810, and 1815. In 1816 he was made commissary general of the Indies and went to Madrid. He was personally known to Bordoy who wrote his life and included it in his “Crónica.” (pp. 352–363). Bestard was a fellowstudent of Fray Raimundo Strauch, O.F.M. Ibid., 353.
71 Strauch was the son of an Austrian army officer stationed in Mallorca.
72 Father Torrens y Nicolau is buried at Petra. One of the town’s streets has been named after him.
73 Torrens MS: “Sermones del V. Fr. Junípero Serra predicados en la Iglesia de Sta. Clara de Palma Año 1744.” Miguel Ramis Collection, Petra. No other genuine Serra sermons have been found.
74 Palóu, Vida, 7.
75 Ibid. 7–8.
76 Ibid., 11; “Compendium Scoticum.” Legajo 5546, Contratación, segunda sección, AGI.
77 Palóu, Vida, 291–292.