Voting Station

Junipero Serra

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Religious Figure

The Resume

    (November 24, 1713-August 28, 1774)
    Born in Petra, Spain
    Birth name was Miquel Josep Serra i Ferrer
    Franciscan friar
    Founded a series of missions in California
    Beatified by Pope John Paul II (1988)
    Declared a saint by Pope Francis in the first canonization ceremony held in the US (September 23, 2015)

Why he might be annoying:

    While preaching, he would sometimes scourge himself or apply a lit torch to his bare chest.
    He clashed repeatedly with the territorial government in California.
    The mission system, however well intended, disrupted Indian society and facilitated epidemics of smallpox and other diseases.

Why he might not be annoying:

    With the scourgings and flaming torches, there were probably few people nodding off during his sermons.
    Despite an ulcerated leg, he travelled 4,000 miles on foot to Mexico City to petition for a bill of rights for the Indians.
    When Indians burned down the mission at San Diego, he wrote, 'If I should die a martyr's death at the hands of the native peoples, I ask that no revenge or retaliation be taken. What would be gained for our cause by such an action?'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 143 Votes: 46.85% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 16 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 14 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 105 Votes: 48.57% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 90 Votes: 47.78% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 72 Votes: 54.17% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 17 Votes: 52.94% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 11 Votes: 27.27% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 24 Votes: 70.83% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 19 Votes: 57.89% Annoying