(1713-1784) The Spaniard, Miguel José Serra Ferrer, joined the Franciscans at age 17 and took the name Junípero, which means “jester of God,” after a friend of Saint Francis of Assisi. Although he was a well-trained philosopher, he became a missionary to the west coast of North America, founded several missions, and converted thousands of the native people, becoming known as the Apostle of California.

Saint Junípero Serra’s motto was “siempre adelante,” which means “always forward.” In recovery, we seek to always move forward by being accountable to others (honesty), being ready to receive new information (open-mindedness), and committing to applying that information to our own lives and putting it into action (willingness). With that, we are on a mission. Like the Franciscan missionaries to the New World, we don’t try to do it alone. We need our fellowship, our sponsor, and, most intimately, we need our Higher Power—Jesus Christ.

“I realize my nothingness and feebleness for such a glorious enterprise. But God is powerful, and can call great things out of nothing” (Saint Junípero in a letter dated September 29th, 1758).

Reflection by Brad Farmer