If only most Catholics knew that the California natives at the missions did perfect Gregorian chant and treasured it. All the modern propaganda against Fr Serra and the missions -- it doesn’t hold up against real history. When I was in 4th grade in Berkeley school system circa early 1960s, we were given an 8-week history course on the missions which inspired us greatly. And most were not even Catholic. And this came out of some official public school textbook.
I never knew that. Times sure changed. By the 1970s even the Mission docents were falsely teaching about the oppression of the natives by the missionaries.
Yes, and the 1967 state legislators voted for it. Makes one tremble for California and West coast. At least in Eastern states and Midwest there is a tad more self-respect for history.
From the Bay Area, you would remember that the 280 freeway was named the Junipero Serra, even in 1967. There is a huge statue of him in an adjacent park, clearly visible as driving on freeway, pointing to the ocean. Of course stupid California bowed to pressure and replaced his statue within the US Capitol rotunda in statuary hall, with Sally Ride. His was probably the only religious there. As if the founder of California was not good enough.
I grew up in the Boston area, came to San Francisco in 1967 left in 1970 for Fargo. Came back to the Bay Area in 1989. So I didn't know about 280 freeway being named for St. Serra. It's a sin and a shame that he is being slandered and his statues are being torn down.
If only most Catholics knew that the California natives at the missions did perfect Gregorian chant and treasured it. All the modern propaganda against Fr Serra and the missions -- it doesn’t hold up against real history. When I was in 4th grade in Berkeley school system circa early 1960s, we were given an 8-week history course on the missions which inspired us greatly. And most were not even Catholic. And this came out of some official public school textbook.
I never knew that. Times sure changed. By the 1970s even the Mission docents were falsely teaching about the oppression of the natives by the missionaries.
From email:
THANKS ROSEANNE
for continuing to send me your articles. I particularly enjoyed the one on Tom Wolfe and todays on Mission Carmel.
gratefully
Fr James Geoghegan, OCD, Editor Emeritus of the Carmelite Digest
Yes, and the 1967 state legislators voted for it. Makes one tremble for California and West coast. At least in Eastern states and Midwest there is a tad more self-respect for history.
From the Bay Area, you would remember that the 280 freeway was named the Junipero Serra, even in 1967. There is a huge statue of him in an adjacent park, clearly visible as driving on freeway, pointing to the ocean. Of course stupid California bowed to pressure and replaced his statue within the US Capitol rotunda in statuary hall, with Sally Ride. His was probably the only religious there. As if the founder of California was not good enough.
I grew up in the Boston area, came to San Francisco in 1967 left in 1970 for Fargo. Came back to the Bay Area in 1989. So I didn't know about 280 freeway being named for St. Serra. It's a sin and a shame that he is being slandered and his statues are being torn down.