The brethren in the East mark this day as the feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian, a feast that the Roman calendar keeps on September 26. But July 1 is also the memorial for the Franciscan "Founder of California," Blessed Junipero Serra (1713-1784), beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1988.



This remarkable priest, pioneer and explorer is one of two men chosen by the people of the State of California to be memorialized as their representatives in Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol.