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"Recommended. Shot on location in California, this
program discusses the historical importance of Franciscan missionary
Junipero Serra, who is considered the founder of the California missions.
The program is well documented and offers a lot of information in a short
time. The illustrations are excellent, making the viewer feel like he or she
is actually there. At the end, scholar Richard Menn gives a short summary on
the research that has been done on Serra by those who want him
canonized." -Booklist You will find a statue of Junipero Serra in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park and in the U.S. Capital; you will hear how Pope John Paul II beatified the priest in 1987 - the 2nd step toward sainthood in the Catholic church; still, outside of California, few know the story of this legendary Franciscan missionary, who at the age of 56 founded the first of California's 21 missions and went on to found 8 others, including his personal headquarters in what was then called Alta California, Mission San Carlos Borroméo at Carmel, before his death. Despite controversies that surround his strict disciplining of Native Americans, one has to recognize the zeal and determination of the man in doing what he believed was sincere missionary work, and to measure his accomplishments in the context of the colonial era in which he lived; overall, his leadership proved critical to the founding of California and the history of the American West. 08DR IJSCA 15 min. |
| An unforgettable tour of the second mission founded by Father Junipero Serra, which was his headquarters as Father-President of the mission chain and also became his final-resting place. 08DR IJSCA 15 min. |
| California's 21 missions represent a Spanish and Native American cross-cultural heritage that remains very much alive today; also viewers learn the passed-down tradition of making a tortilla. 08DR IJSCA 15 min. |
| The story of California's missions would be incomplete without a study of the Native Americans who were an important part of the mission system established by the Spanish. In this program viewers are introduced to the Native Americans who as a people lived for thousands of years in harmony with nature in this land now known as California. We learn how the lives of the Native Americans who came to the missions as neophytes were regulated by the ringing of the mission bells. We visualize the impact the Spanish arrival had on the Native Americans' way of life and cultural heritage. Also we discover that the missions we visit today are truly a tribute to the backbreaking efforts of these hard-working people. The song, Listen to the Mission Bells, was written and performed by Chip Taylor. 08DR IJSCA 10 min. |
| A tour of Mission San Diego, founded in 1769 as California's first mission, includes a visit to Casa del Padre Serra that illustrates the simple and sparse lifestyle of the padres who lived here. 08DR IJSCA 10 min. |
| Today, at the intersection of Mission Boulevard and Junipero Serra Avenue in the City of San Gabriel, you will find an active mission of California, San Gabriel Arcangel, which dates back to September 8, 1771, when, under the direction of Father Juniper Serra, Fathers Pedro Cambón and Joseph de la Somera founded the fourth mission. All 21 of California's missions were connected by El Camino Real; however, Mission San Gabriel Arcangel could also be reached by two additional roads: one from Mexico; the other from the growing United States, making this mission a center of activity. This led to problems between the Native Americans and the military; so in 1775 the mission was moved to its present site. So fertile was the land here that soon it became the wealthiest and most prosperous of all the missions; this success led others to establish towns, called pueblos; the closest was the Pueblo de Los Angeles, which today is Los Angeles. Here we discover why missions became the center of Spanish culture in the state; also we learn that not all was good fortune at the mission. Buried here are nearly 6000 neophytes (Indians who became new converts); many died due to diseases brought to the area by the Europeans; also the new Republic of Mexico secularized the Missions in 1833, which ended mission life until 1862, when the U.S. Congress restored the properties back to the Catholic Church. 08DR IJSCA 10 min. |
| A tribute to the Franciscan friars and Native Americans; includes a tour of Mission Santa Barbara's beautiful grounds and museum, which reveals why it is called the "Queen of the Missions." 08DR IJSCA 10 min. |
| California's most visited mission offers viewers the chance to visit Father Junipero Serra's chapel, explore the great stone church, and view the famous swallows who return every year on March 19th. 08DR IJSCA 10 min. |
| A tour of San Juan Bautista allows viewers the chance to step back over 150 years into California's history; then to experience first-hand the living Spanish legacy that exists today. 08DR IJSCA 15 min. |
| This program not only documents the history and present story of Mission San Luis Obispo, the fifth mission, but also reminds us how important all the missions are to the people of California. 08DR IJSCA 15 min. |
| Mission San Antonio de Padua was the third mission founded by Father Junipero Serra; the date was July 14, 1771. Surrounded by Federal lands, the Mission's setting today looks as much as it did when it was originally founded. The original setting was three miles closer to the nearby river; however, it was moved to this location due to flooding in the area. Ironically, Mission San Antonio, though in a remote location, is one of the most fully restored in the chain of 21 California missions; its location adds to its authentic mission-era atmosphere and helps to underscore the pioneering spirit of the early settlers. Unique to this mission is the design of its campanerio; the three bells are connected to the church but are situated separately. The center bell has the distinction of being the first mission bell cast in California. Visiting the grounds we view many Spanish and Native American displays; we learn how important music was to the Mission, and we see a hand painted on a wall, which shows one of the ways music was taught to the Mission Indians. Also we explore its church, which is an impressive example of Mission architecture, and remains an active part of the community. 08DR IJSCA 15 min. |
| The missions are the focus of two excellent class projects. Fourth graders work together to make adobe bricks by hand; then another class unveils a creative display of model mission structures. 08DR IJSCA 10 min. |
| This multiple-choice glossary game provides viewers with a challenging opportunity to test themselves by reviewing important words and topics associated with The Missions of California Series. 08DR IJSCA 20 min. |