First Pilgrimage of Saint Junipero Serra – Walk from San Carlos Cathedral to Mission Carmel Basilica – Part 2

September 26, 2015
First Pilgrimage for
Saint Junipero Serra
Part 2

Carpenter Street to Flanders Mansion –  1.7 miles

The rest of our pilgrimage is downhill.  Our grand group crossed Carpenter at Highway 1  

 and moved off Carpenter onto Lower Trail.  

In the residential area of Lower Trail, houses tend to be large with many offering peeks of the Ocean. 

At the end of Lower Trail we make a left on to Valley Way and walk behind the Vendange Carmel Hotel to Lobos Street.

Many of the quaint homes along Lobos Street and Monterey Street in the northeastern section of Carmel were built in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. During the Depression this area was known as Tortilla Flats.  It was predominately Native American families who spoke Spanish.  They had flat roof houses and served tortillas to guests.  Thus the name Tortilla Flats. 

Left on Third, 

  

then right on to Hatton Road. 

where houses are historically very large.  Like the one shown below which is on the east side of Hatton one block before Ocean Avenue built in the early 1920’s by a Russian immigrant.

  

At Ocean Avenue our pilgrimage makes our 3rd crosswalk crossing. Having this down to a science now we obey our crossing guards and walk 5 or 6 abreast across Ocean. 

Almost 5 miles into our pilgrimage we are still almost 150 strong, old, young, strollers and one dog – Always forward, never back! Saint Junipero, pray for us. 

At 25800 Hatton we turn on to the driveway of Flanders Mansion.  

Down the driveway past the Lester Rowntree Native Plant garden to the Flanders Mansion.

Pass the carriage door entrance to the front door behind the mansion.  

Then through the juniper hedge to the most beautiful view in Carmel.  At least according to me.

One of my favorite hikes is to sit in Flanders backyard and look at the Carmel Mission. Surely Saint Junipero came over this hill and looked down at the Mission.    

In the field behind Flanders Father Peter leads us in our last reflection on Saint Junipero Serra. 

Father Peter: “After Saint Junipero’s first complete tour of the fledgling California mission chain in 1772, he saw that provisions were irregular, Indian affairs were poorly managed, and many other changes needed to be made.  He decided to travel to Mexico City to personally appeal to the Viceroy.  This arduous two year journey twice brought him to the gates of death.  While in Mexico he was described as a “lion, giving in only to fever, for none of the ailments that constantly afflicted him, especially shortness of breath, chest pains, and sores on his legs and feet, have ever kept him from his apostolic duties.”  Saint Junipero presented his petitions to Viceroy Bucareli in a now famous 32 point Representation. This was California’s first “Bill of Rights,” which succinctly outlined the province’s needs and offered concrete solutions to its problems.  All his requests were granted…Saint Junipero Serra, you may have lived with spiritual eyes raised to Heaven, but you knew that your primary goal of glorifying God through the conversion of souls could not be obtained without temporal feet planted firmly on earth. You risked your life to travel to Mexico and then witnessed great success in the flowering of California. Help me to effect change where possible, accept limits when necessary, and never forget that God is the source of and reason for, everything I do.  Saint Junipero, pray for us. Siempre adelante, nunca de adtras.” 

Flanders Mansion to Carmel Mission Basilica – .9 mile

It is already 11 AM and we are late for our arrival at Carmel Mission.  But Father Peter assures us Father Paul will wait for us to arrive before starting Mass celebrating the First Saint Junipero Serra Pilgrimage.

Our group crosses the field behind Flanders Mansion and picks up the Mesa Trail which is part of Mission Fields Park.  

We follow the Cross which has been carried by different people during our pilgrimage,   

and switchback down to meet Serra Trail.  

John, who thought he would not make the entire journey, is still with us.  As well as most who began this journey a few hours ago.  

At the end of Mesa Trail we turn left on Serra Trail.  This will take us out of the park at Rio Road. 

If one were to turn right on Serra Trail at the end of Mesa Trail and walk approximately 130 steps this would take one to a large Oak tree with two trunks. 

According to Carmel fokelore this tree was one of the places where Saint Junipero Serra and his group would stop to pray the Stations of the Cross. 

If they were on their way to Monterey it would have been the Second Station (Christ Carries His Cross), if the were on their way to Carmel, it would have been the Thirteenth Station (The Lamentation of Christ).

Professor Ruben Mendoza, who was also on our pilgrimage, said that crosses have been found carved into trees near the missions.  These trees might have been used for prayer. Though it can not be confirmed that this tree was one of those trees used by the padres, I observe some interesting scars on this tree that gives me reason to think the stories might be true.  

Back to our pilgrimage we quickly come to the exit of Mission Fields Park at Rio Road.  Father Peter reminds us to turn left and go to the cross walk.  

Almost our entire group finishes our pilgrimage.  We walk up Rio toward the Carmel Mission parking lot,  singing and praising God for His kindness in bringing us all through this incredible experience safely.  No one was hurt, no one was left behind.  And, yes John made the entire 6 miles! So did the parents pushing strollers and the little dog too. Here we are entering the Mission Courtyard almost 4 hours after we started our journey. 

 Just a quick time out for water and freshening up 

– we have Holy Eucharist to Celebrate! 

For those who would like to see the route Father Peter and our Deacons forged here is a Google Map. 

For devotional items related to the Catholic Church please visit Lynn’s Timeless Treasures.  

Part 1

Pictures by L. A. Momboisse – http://www.carmelbytheseaca.blogspot.com 

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First Pilgrimage of Saint Junipero Serra – Walk from San Carlos Cathedral to Mission Carmel Basilica – Part 1

September 26, 2015
First Pilgrimage for
Saint Junipero Serra
Part 1

At 7:30 AM about 150 people gathered in front of San Carlos Cathedral on Church Street in Monterey.  Father Peter Crivello would be our leader as we attempt to retrace the footsteps of Saint Junipero Serra between San Carlos Cathedral and Carmel Mission Basilica. 

Father Peter gave us a brief overview of our path and some instructions, “Follow the cross, this shows that we are on a pilgrimage…When you see me hold up this gold folder it is time to stop and gather and reflect in prayer…Deacon Warren and others scouted out this route.  It has been a wonderful and inspiring week with Pope Francis here and the canonization of Junipero Serra which people prayed for decades for – and we come to enjoy this moment.  This is one pilgrimage and it is my prayer that it is the first of many.” 

The pilgrimage would be about five miles (Strava on my phone marked the walk at 6.0 miles).  All ages had gathered. We had young families with children in strollers to some of our older parishioners.  John whom I spoke with when we started said he did not expect to walk the entire five miles but he would go as far as he could.  (John made it the entire distance!)  In fact the majority did.  

We began our pilgrimage with prayer.  During our walk we would stop, gather and Father Peter would lead us in prayer and a meditation on the life of Saint Junipero Serra taken from “Blessed Junipero Serra Meditations and Novena,” by Franciscan Friars of California.  

San Carlos Cathedral to Bike Path  – 2.3 miles

Father Peter: “So we begin in prayer asking God to bless us on this pilgrimage recalling the life and ministry of Saint Junipero Serra.  In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  The Lord be with you.” 

Pilgrims: “And with your spirit.” 

Father Peter: “Let us pray. Saint Junipero was ordained a priest at age 24, and earned a doctorate in Sacred Theology at 28.  By age 35, he held the highest ranking professorship at the University of Majorca.  He was also a brilliant orator. After one particularly inspiring sermon, it was recorded that “his sermon was worthy of being printed in letters of gold.” However, the voice of God called Junipero to be a teacher of nations…Saint Junipero left Majorca for Mexico in 1749, he sent a farewell letter to his parents.  He wrote, in part, “I wish I could give you some of the happiness that is mine; I feel that you would urge me to go ahead and never to turn back. What you consider and endure as a great sorrow will be turned into a lasting joy, for, if we are no more to see each other in this world, we will be united forever in eternal glory.  That is my prayer.”

Saint Junipero Serra’s words, “Always go forward and never look back, Siempre adelante, nunca de adtrás became our pilgrimage motto.

And we are off.  From behind the San Carlos Cathedral we turn left on to Fremont, 

make a right on to Via Mirada and pass Lagunta Niranda Park.  

At Iris Canyon Road our group turns right and walks the next mile on this quiet, rarely used road which cuts through the Iris Canyon Greenbelt.

Both sides of the street are lined with Monterey Pine, Coastal Oak, and Poison Oak. Quite possibly this was the route Saint Junipero trekked as he walked back and forth between San Carlos Cathedral and Carmel Misson to say Mass. The one difference would be of course there would be no road, just a dirt trail.  

At the intersection of Don Dahvee Lane we leave the greenbelt and continue on Iris Canyon under Highway 1. 

At the intersection of Iris Canyon and Barnet Segal Lane 

our pilgrimage turns right on to Bernet Segal Lane

and begins our climb up Carmel Hill.

Before our climb, Father Peter gathered us together for our second reflection on the life of Saint Junipero Serra. 

Father Peter: “On December 7, 1749, after a three-month transatlantic crossing to the New World, during which the ship was temporarily blown off course by a violent storm that threatened to shipwreck, Junipero first steeped ashore on continental North America at Vera Cruz, Mexico.  He chose to walk the 275 – mile stretch of El Camino Real to Mexico City’s San Fernando Apostolic College.  Along the way, mosquito or chigger bites infected his lower left leg.  Recurrent inflammations, eventually developing into an ulcerated, possible cancerous growth, would afflict him for the rest of his life…” 

Before setting off again we pray in unison the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.  Our pilgrimage shouts Saint Junipero, pray for us. Viva San Junipero. Siempre adelante, nunca de adtrás.  And away we go. 

Barnet Segal Lane turns into Viejo Road.
We are walking parallel to Highway 1 

with Del Monte Shopping Center and Highway 1 to our right.

 This first climb is about one mile.
But if this little dog can make this
pilgrimage so can I.
  

             One more push half way up the Carmel Hill 

to our second rest stop 2.3 miles into our pilgrimage. 

Our reward – Monterey Bay.

               Bike Path to Carpenter St. – 1.1 miles

The next mile will be the rest of the climb of Carmel Hill. Make this next mile and Father Peter tells us, “it is all down hill from there.”  

The gold folder calls us to gather for meditation on the life of Saint Junipero Serra.  

Father Peter: “At age 53 Saint Junipero ventured to Lower California as newly appointed President of the peninsula’s fifteen missions.  He soon learned of Spain’s forthcoming temporal and spiritual settlement of Upper California.  He volunteered and was appointed President.  During the 95 day, 750 mile journey north by land from Lorreto to San Diego Bay, Junipero experienced great pain.  He wrote, “I had much trouble in standing on my feet because the left foot was much inflamed, and the swelling reached halfway up my leg, which was covered with sores”  Refusing all advice to turn back, Junipero said, “Even if I die on the road, I will not turn back.  Although I would be buried here, I shall gladly remain among these people, if it be the will of God.”  As a final alternative to being carried on a stretcher Junipero asked the muleteer to prepare a poultice for his leg, and by the next day he was walking and able to celebrate Mass…Saint Junipero Serra, when your health was in jeopardy, when the future looked bleak, you never wavered…Help us all to learn from your example and remember that “God keeps His promise. He will not let you be tested beyond your strength.”  (Corinthians 10:13)    

Our pilgrimage is now in the rhythm of our meditation and prayer we loudly praise God and His Mother with the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. Then we invoke the intercession of our newest saint as we chant, Saint Junipero, pray for us. Viva San Junipero. Siempre adelante, nunca de adtrás.  Carmel Hill here we come!  

Our pilgrimage continues single file

up a steep hill into the shrubs and pines that line Highway 1. 

Our path is now narrow and covered with twigs and leaves. 

 We walked quietly forward, yet always aware of those in need.

Finally it feels like we are walking in the footsteps of the Padres which is described in the following quote from California Trails, Intimate Guide to the Old Missions on page 230. “The Governor took the road to Monterey, going through a dense forest of pine where were paced many great crosses, significant of Christ’s suffering.  But they had not gone far before a band of choristers appeared, all wearing newly washed robes, attended by many young Indians in the dress of acolytes.  They were closely followed by the padres marching in two wings.” 

We descend down to the shoulder of Highway 1.

 But only for a few yards 

 before we are back

climbing into the tree line again.

 The path quickly levels out

 and soon we are out of the tree line on to Carpenter Street.
  

 John has walked much farther than he had intended. 

We gather for a reflection on Saint Junipero Serra’s life. 

Father Peter: “Saint Junipero truly believed in the power of novenas.  While he was stationed at San Diego, scurvy killed many of the soldiers, provisions were running perilously low, and the supply ship had not returned from Mexico with replenishment.  The dire situation forced a decision to abandon San Diego and California if the ship did not arrive soon.  The limit was set at March 20, 1770, one day after the Solemnity of Saint Joseph…True to his motto, “Always go forward; never turn back,” he wrote that he and fellow priest, Juan Crespi, would remain even if the settlement were abandoned, relying on Almighty God’s providence.” With the participation of all the soldiers and sailors, Saint Junipero began a nine-day novena of prayers to Saint Joseph.  On March 19, the  ninth day of the Novena and the feast of Saint Joseph, and with everything ready for departure from San Diego, a ship was seen on the southern horizon at 3 PM [the hour of Mercy]. Saint Junipero’s heart was filled with “singular joy and happiness” and he “ceaselessly thanked God.”…Saint Junipero Serra, you understood the power and grace of prayer, especially when it is channeled into a novena.  As Our Lord said, “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find;  knock and it shall be opened to you (Luke 11:9).” 

Right on cue our large group prays loudly the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.  Saint Junipero, pray for us. Viva San Junipero. Siempre adelante, nunca de adtrás.  Our next stop, Flanders Mansion. 

Continued in Part 2 

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Pictures by L. A. Momboisse – http://www.carmelbytheseaca.blogspot.com 

Monterey Bay Discovered

Monterey Bay Discovered

In 1542 the King of Spain sent Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in search of the Strait of Anian, a body of water thought to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans north of Mexico. 

Cabrillo began his voyage in June sailing north with two small vessels.  On September 28, 1542 he entered San Diego Bay and named the area San Miguel.  He continued northward naming and discovering islands and bays, calling the Bay of Monterey, Bahía de los Pinos because of the forest of Pine trees that covered the inland area surrounding the bay.

Unable to anchor Cabrillo continued northward passing San Francisco bay without notice, finally turning back south around Bodega Bay.  The fabled Strait of Anian was not found, but he added the coast of Alta California to the Spanish map. 

In 1566 a Spanish galleon that annually sailed from Acapulco for the Philippines chose a longer “circle route” coming home, in order to avoid unfavorable winds.  This route took the galleon near Cape Mendocino before it turned south toward Acapulco. Sailors had been instructed to keep watch for the harbors along Alta California discovered by Cabrillo 24 years earlier. None were spotted. 

King Philip III of Spain believed there was a great importance to having a port on the coast of Alta California and sent Sebastián Vizcaíno on May 5, 1602 in search of one.    

Vizcaíno followed Cabrillo’s route up the coast of Alta California and on December 16, 1602 anchored at Bahía de los Pinos which he renamed Puerto de Monterey and the tip of a pine covered headland Punta de Pinos.

In his diary Vizcaíno wrote, that “his men built a shelter under a great oak near the shore” where Carmelite friar Father Antonio de Ascención celebrated Mass on the beach of Bahía de los Pinos.

Before he returned to Mexico, Vizcaíno spent a few weeks exploring the area finding rolling hills, a pleasantly warm valley and a fertile river running through it all to the sea.  This river he named Carmelo after the three Carmelite priests who accompanied him on this journey.  150 years would pass before this area would be colonized.

In 1769, Jose de Galvez, Visitador-General of New Spain selected a fourfold expedition that would travel by land and sea.  Their objective was Monterey, but they were all to meet first in San Diego. 

Two ships, the San Carlos and the San Antonio and two land divisions readied to leave La Paz.  The first land division started in late March of 1769 under Captain Rivera y Moncada and Fr. Juan Crespi.

The second land division set off May 15 under the command of Captain Gaspar de Portolá and 56 year old Fr. Junípero Serra who had been selected to be the father-president of the missions to be founded in Alta California. 

On July 1, 1769 the last of the four divisions, Portolá and Fr. Serra reached San Diego.  They found the other three divisions suffering from hunger and scurvy.  It was determined that the sick soldiers who could still stand should board the San Antonio and sail back for La Paz and request fresh supplies.  Those who were too sick stayed in San Diego to be cared for by Pedro Prat the surgeon of the expedition, leaving 64 well enough to continue overland with Portolá and Fr. Crespí on July 14.  Fr. Serra stayed behind in San Diego. 

The overland expedition failed to recognize Monterey Bay as described by Vizcaíno.  They continued north sighting San Francisco Bay.  Confused that it was not the described Monterey Bay, they turned south retracing their steps to Carmel Bay where they planted a large wooden cross.  Buried underneath was an account of the expedition in case someone would come upon this position.

Crossing over the hill they again failed to recognize Monterey Bay from the description of Vizcaíno, yet they erected another large cross at the bay with the message, “The land expedition is returning to San Diego for lack of provisions, today, December 9, 1769.”

Portolá and Crespí arrived in San Diego January 24, 1770 finding the settlement in far worse condition than when they had left six months earlier.  During their travels they had become convinced that where they had left the crosses was indeed Monterey.  But the San Antonio which was to have brought provisions had not arrived and without sufficient supplies they would not be able to return north to Monterey or continue to establish the settlement in San Diego. 

Fr. Serra and Portolá agreed that unless the supply ship returned to San Diego by Saint Joseph’s Day (March 19^th), they would have to abandon the settlement and return home to La Paz.   Fr. Serra began a ninth day Novena that would end on the feast of Saint Joseph.  At 3PM on March 19^th the San Antonio arrived. 

On April 16, 1770, the San Antonio set sail for Monterey with Fr. Serra and Miguel Constansó.  Portolá led the overland division arriving six weeks later in Monterey at the sight of the crosses. The San Antonio carrying Fr. Serra arrived a few days later and on Pentecost Sunday, June 3, 1770, Father Serra celebrated a high Mass under a large oak, the same oak where in 1602, Vizcaíno had claimed the land for Spain.  After Mass, Portolá unfurled the Spanish flag and conducted the ceremonies of possession and establishment in the name of King Charles III. 

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Credits
Jose Espinosa y Tello Map Plano Del Puerto y Bahia De Monte Rey 1791
Map used by Vizcaino in 1602
March of Portola to Monterey by Walter Francis
Father Serra Statue at the landing site June 3, 1770 Monterey
Father Serra’s Landing Place or Celebration of the First Mass – Leon Trousset

The California Mission Ride

The California Mission Ride

On August 18, 2012 five riders and their entourage set out from Sonoma on the first leg of a two stage, 600 mile horseback trip that will connect all 21 California missions, plus San Antonio de Pala a sub-mission. 

The first stage, or North Ride, covers eleven missions starting at Mission San Francisco in Sonoma and ending four weeks later at Mission San Miguel Arcángel in San Miguel. 

The second stage, or South Ride is planned for mid-August 2013.  This will continue from Mission San Miguel Arcángel to their final destination of San Diego de Alcala.  

Educational activities are planned for the riders and local community at each mission stop.  These events include archeological explorations, performances, lectures, exhibits, fiestas, and story-telling around the campfire with marshmallows and s’mores. 

The five riders include a filmmaker (Gwyneth Horder-Payton), a writer, a high school student (Gwyneth’s 16 year old daughter Daisy), a stuntman and a wrangler.  They are joined by a crew of a seven who will assist, manage, promote and document the trip.  

This is a unique historic journey with a purpose.  To conduct a modern day expedition of California on horseback by tracing the mission trail, explore the influence of the missions on the past and the future, and delve into the history of the Indians from mission days to the present. 

The crew will document their trip with the ultimate goal of producing a documentary to enhance the study of California history for fourth grade students.

The California Mission Ride endorses the goals of The California Missions Foundation, which was established in 1998 to preserve and protect the missions of California.  As the Foundation notes, it is “the only organization dedicated to the long-term preservation and restoration needs of all California missions and their associated historic and cultural resources for public benefit.”
 

On September 7, 2012 the riders participating in The California Mission Ride road along Del Monte Beach in Monterey on their way to Mission Carmel, San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo their eighth mission stop of the North leg of their 600 mile journey. 

The following day Gwyneth and her daughter Daisy, along with their horses Tahoe and Trigger joined approximately 30 of us outside The Royal Presidio Chapel San Carlos Cathedral in Monterey.   

We arrived just as the procession of Santa Rosalia
left the Cathedral on its way to Fisherman’s Wharf
to bless the fishing fleet.

 Father Patrick, who stayed behind,
 greeted us and gave a blessing
over Gwyneth, Daisy, Tahoe and Trigger. 

 

 Tahoe is a majestic Arabian Mustang

 and Trigger a Haflinger pony.
The pair are reminiscent of the rides
of don Quixote and Sancho.

 

Gwyneth described Tahoe as
“quite obedient, Trigger, not so much.”
But look at that face!

Daisy who broke her ankle shortly before the ride commenced and was in a boot cast, described Trigger as “quite fat and a little small for me but the only horse that I can trust on such a sketchy ride. This ride will be great for him because he needs to lose weight and he will love the adventure.” 

Daisy and Trigger shared many nuzzles and were obviously very simpatico. I didn’t think he was fat.  

After Tahoe and Trigger feasted on the Cathedral lawn (a turf banquet they were kick out of my alma mater SCU for a few days earlier) we were joined by Dr. Ruben Mendoza, who led the archaeological research team during the conservation and restoration of the Royal Presidio Chapel between 2007-2008.  His team discovered the original Serra Chapels of 1770 and 1772.  

He is also a founding faculty member
of the California State University, Monterey Bay. 

Dr. Ruben Mendoza conducted a fascinating 90 minute tour of the grounds and interior of the Royal Presidio Chapel and the Heritage  Museum, home to numerous artifacts from early mission days, discovered during the restoration in 2007.

The Royal Presidio Chapel
San Carlos Cathedral
500 Church Street
Monterey, CA  93940
831-373-2628

Mass times
Saturday (Sunday Vigil) 4:00PM
Sunday 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 10:30AM, 12Noon, 5:30PM
Monday through Friday 7:45AM & 12:15PM (Except holidays)

Reconciliation
Saturday 2:30-3:00PM

Royal Presidio Chapel Heritage Museum
No charge for admission

Wednesday 10AM – 12Noon
Friday 10AM – 3PM
Saturday 10AM – 2PM
Sunday 1PM – 3PM
2nd and 4th Mondays 10AM – 12 Noon
& 1:15PM – 3PM

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Photo Credits
Lynn Momboisse
California Mission Ride
M. Huix