Tracing the Footsteps of Saint Junipero Serra: 21 Missions in 21 Days
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – The year 2019 marks the 250th anniversary of the Portolá Expedition, the first recorded European exploration of the interior of what is now California.
Commander Gaspar de Portolá’s first-ever land journey from San Diego to Monterey helped lay the groundwork for Saint Junípero Serra’s establishment of the first nine missions along El Camino Real, which runs from San Diego to San Francisco, essentially what is known today as Interstate 5.
From Aug 31-Sept 22, a new journey will bring Catholics together across California to commemorate this anniversary of the founding of the 21 California Missions with a modern-day road trip. The goal is to revitalize Christianity in California with the same fervent spirit as those early missionaries.
