Francisco Palóu
Encyclopedia
Francesc Palou was a Franciscan
missionary, administrator, and historian on the Baja California peninsula
and in Alta California
. Father Palou's made significant contributions to the Alta California and Baja California mission systems. Along with his mentor, Junipero Serra
, Palou worked to build numerous missions throughout Alta and Baja California, many structures of which still stand today. A member of the Franciscan Order, Palou eventually became the acting "Presidente" of the missions in Baja California
, and then eventually of missions of Alta California
as well. Palou's work in the Spanish mission system spans from his early twenties to his death at the age of 66.
According to biographer Herbert E. Bolton "Fray Palou was a diligent student, devout Christian, loyal disciple, tireless traveler, zealous missionary, firm defender of the faith, resourceful pioneer, successful mission builder, able administrator, and fair minded historian of California
." Palou is particularly noted for his pious biography of Serra and for his multi-volume early history of the Californias.
where he joined the Franciscan Order. Together with Junípero Serra, he traveled to New Spain
in 1740 and served as a missionary in the Sierra Gorda
region of Querétaro
. When the Jesuits
were expelled
from Baja California in 1768, the Franciscans under Serra were sent to replace them. Palou was assigned to the mission of San Javier
. The following year, Serra went north to found the new mission province of Alta California, and Palou succeeded him as head of the Baja California missions. When the Dominicans
took over the peninsular Baja California missions in 1773, Palou, being Franciscan, moved on to Upper California, marking the geographical boundary between the two orders' fields. He assisted in the exploration of the site of San Francisco and administered Mission San Francisco de Asís
. When Serra died, Palou was briefly acting head of the Baja California missions, but soon returned to central Mexico.
, Palou traveled and proselytized Spanish colonial empire
. His extensive travels left him knowledgeable of world matters, and well respected as a scholar. Coming from simple beginnings, Palou was born in 1722 at Palma, on the Island of Majorca, and began religious work early in his life as he entered the Franciscan Order around the age of seventeen in 1739. After developing a mentor/student relationship with Junipero Serra
, they both eagerly joined the Spanish mission system in Alta California. They, along with several other missionaries reached Vera Cruz
, New Spain in 1749. Palou worked in New Spain for many in missions such as Sierra Gorda. He was later recalled, along with Serra, to work in the San Sabas region of Texas
. However, the biggest part of Palou's journey would not begin until 1767 when he and fourteen other Franciscan friars were sent north to extend their efforts and replace many of the Jesuit missionaries who had been previously expelled form Spain. Much of Palou's life would be spent in Alta California
, and many of his notable endeavors occurred there as well.
. The following year, Junipero Serra left for Alta California to proceed with the further establishment of missions in that region. This left the office of "presidente" or superior of all missions in Lower California for Palou to control until 1773. When the Lower Californian missions were turned over to the Dominican Fathers, Palou was able to rejoin his brethren and mentor in Upper California. He first went to San Diego
, then continued onwards to Monterey-Carmel, which Serra had been using as his headquarters. Palou greatly assisted in the placement of friars as well as collected historical data, some of which is the only still surviving today on the early Californian missions.
's expedition to the Bay of San Francisco and on December 4th, planted the cross on Point Lobos, which sits in clear view of the Golden Gate
and Pacific Ocean
. He was the first priest to ever reach that point. He would return to Lobos in 1776 with Lieutenant Moraga and on June 28th would offer up his first mass on the spot later at the future site of Mission Dolores, which Palou founded but a few weeks later. Palou remained at the helm until he was called to give his mentor and close friend, Junípero Serra, his last rights in 1784 at the Mission San Carlos. With Serra's death in Carmel, Palou became the acting "presidente" of the Upper Californian missions. Palou remained in this post and served until failing health and the simple factor of age retired him in 1785 to the missionary College of San Fernando de Mexico
. He was elected guardian of the college and his office here until his death in Mexico, where he had completed his life of Serra, most of which he had written while still in California.
and many of those in Mexico. He compiled a standard history of the California missions from 1767 to 1784 in his "noticias" as a four-volume set. He also wrote of his teacher, Junípero Serra. Both works provide key information about early California and the missionary system established there.
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
missionary, administrator, and historian on the Baja California peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
and in Alta California
Alta California
Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
. Father Palou's made significant contributions to the Alta California and Baja California mission systems. Along with his mentor, Junipero Serra
Junípero Serra
Blessed Junípero Serra, O.F.M., , known as Fra Juníper Serra in Catalan, his mother tongue was a Majorcan Franciscan friar who founded the mission chain in Alta California of the Las Californias Province in New Spain—present day California, United States. Fr...
, Palou worked to build numerous missions throughout Alta and Baja California, many structures of which still stand today. A member of the Franciscan Order, Palou eventually became the acting "Presidente" of the missions in Baja California
Spanish missions in Baja California
The Spanish Missions in Baja California comprise a series of religious outposts established by Spanish Catholic religious orders, the Jesuits, the Franciscans and the Dominicans, between 1683 and 1834 to spread the Christian doctrine among the local natives...
, and then eventually of missions of Alta California
Spanish missions in California
The Spanish missions in California comprise a series of religious and military outposts established by Spanish Catholics of the Franciscan Order between 1769 and 1823 to spread the Christian faith among the local Native Americans. The missions represented the first major effort by Europeans to...
as well. Palou's work in the Spanish mission system spans from his early twenties to his death at the age of 66.
According to biographer Herbert E. Bolton "Fray Palou was a diligent student, devout Christian, loyal disciple, tireless traveler, zealous missionary, firm defender of the faith, resourceful pioneer, successful mission builder, able administrator, and fair minded historian of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
." Palou is particularly noted for his pious biography of Serra and for his multi-volume early history of the Californias.
Biography
Francesc Palou was born in Palma, Majorca, SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
where he joined the Franciscan Order. Together with Junípero Serra, he traveled to New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
in 1740 and served as a missionary in the Sierra Gorda
Sierra Gorda
The Sierra Gorda is an ecological region centered on the northern third of the state of Querétaro and extending into the neighboring states of Guanajuato, Hidalgo and San Luis Potosí...
region of Querétaro
Querétaro
Querétaro officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Querétaro de Arteaga is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 18 municipalities and its capital city is Santiago de Querétaro....
. When the Jesuits
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
were expelled
Suppression of the Jesuits
The Suppression of the Jesuits in the Portuguese Empire, France, the Two Sicilies, Parma and the Spanish Empire by 1767 was a result of a series of political moves rather than a theological controversy. By the brief Dominus ac Redemptor Pope Clement XIV suppressed the Society of Jesus...
from Baja California in 1768, the Franciscans under Serra were sent to replace them. Palou was assigned to the mission of San Javier
Misión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó
Misión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó was a Spanish mission in San Javier, Baja California Sur, Mexico.-Origins:The Spanish mission of San Francisco Javier was initially founded by the Jesuit missionary Francisco María Piccolo in 1699 at a spring called Biaundó by the native Cochimí, about 8...
. The following year, Serra went north to found the new mission province of Alta California, and Palou succeeded him as head of the Baja California missions. When the Dominicans
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
took over the peninsular Baja California missions in 1773, Palou, being Franciscan, moved on to Upper California, marking the geographical boundary between the two orders' fields. He assisted in the exploration of the site of San Francisco and administered Mission San Francisco de Asís
Mission San Francisco de Asís
Mission San Francisco de Asís, or Mission Dolores, is the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco and the sixth religious settlement established as part of the California chain of missions...
. When Serra died, Palou was briefly acting head of the Baja California missions, but soon returned to central Mexico.
Missionary travels
As a missionary of the Spanish colonization of the AmericasSpanish colonization of the Americas
Colonial expansion under the Spanish Empire was initiated by the Spanish conquistadores and developed by the Monarchy of Spain through its administrators and missionaries. The motivations for colonial expansion were trade and the spread of the Christian faith through indigenous conversions...
, Palou traveled and proselytized Spanish colonial empire
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
. His extensive travels left him knowledgeable of world matters, and well respected as a scholar. Coming from simple beginnings, Palou was born in 1722 at Palma, on the Island of Majorca, and began religious work early in his life as he entered the Franciscan Order around the age of seventeen in 1739. After developing a mentor/student relationship with Junipero Serra
Junípero Serra
Blessed Junípero Serra, O.F.M., , known as Fra Juníper Serra in Catalan, his mother tongue was a Majorcan Franciscan friar who founded the mission chain in Alta California of the Las Californias Province in New Spain—present day California, United States. Fr...
, they both eagerly joined the Spanish mission system in Alta California. They, along with several other missionaries reached Vera Cruz
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
, New Spain in 1749. Palou worked in New Spain for many in missions such as Sierra Gorda. He was later recalled, along with Serra, to work in the San Sabas region of Texas
San Saba, Texas
San Saba is a town located in Central Texas. It was settled in 1854 and named for its location on the San Saba River. The population was at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of San Saba County...
. However, the biggest part of Palou's journey would not begin until 1767 when he and fourteen other Franciscan friars were sent north to extend their efforts and replace many of the Jesuit missionaries who had been previously expelled form Spain. Much of Palou's life would be spent in Alta California
Alta California
Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
, and many of his notable endeavors occurred there as well.
Alta California missions
Palou and the other friars reached Loreto in Lower California in the spring of 1768. Palou was given control of Mission San Francisco JavierMisión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó
Misión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó was a Spanish mission in San Javier, Baja California Sur, Mexico.-Origins:The Spanish mission of San Francisco Javier was initially founded by the Jesuit missionary Francisco María Piccolo in 1699 at a spring called Biaundó by the native Cochimí, about 8...
. The following year, Junipero Serra left for Alta California to proceed with the further establishment of missions in that region. This left the office of "presidente" or superior of all missions in Lower California for Palou to control until 1773. When the Lower Californian missions were turned over to the Dominican Fathers, Palou was able to rejoin his brethren and mentor in Upper California. He first went to San Diego
Mission San Diego de Alcalá
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, in San Diego, California, was the first Franciscan mission in the Las Californias Province of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. It was founded in 1769 by Spanish friar Junípero Serra in an area long inhabited by the Kumeyaay Indians...
, then continued onwards to Monterey-Carmel, which Serra had been using as his headquarters. Palou greatly assisted in the placement of friars as well as collected historical data, some of which is the only still surviving today on the early Californian missions.
Expeditionary travel
In 1774, Palou accompanied Captain RiveraFernando Rivera y Moncada
Fernando Javier Rivera y Moncada was a soldier from New Spain who served in the Baja California peninsula and upper Las Californias, participating in several early overland explorations. Fernando Rivera y Moncada served as a Spanish Miilitary Governor from 1774-1777. -Biography:Rivera was born...
's expedition to the Bay of San Francisco and on December 4th, planted the cross on Point Lobos, which sits in clear view of the Golden Gate
Golden Gate
The Golden Gate is the North American strait connecting San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. Since 1937 it has been spanned by the Golden Gate Bridge...
and Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
. He was the first priest to ever reach that point. He would return to Lobos in 1776 with Lieutenant Moraga and on June 28th would offer up his first mass on the spot later at the future site of Mission Dolores, which Palou founded but a few weeks later. Palou remained at the helm until he was called to give his mentor and close friend, Junípero Serra, his last rights in 1784 at the Mission San Carlos. With Serra's death in Carmel, Palou became the acting "presidente" of the Upper Californian missions. Palou remained in this post and served until failing health and the simple factor of age retired him in 1785 to the missionary College of San Fernando de Mexico
College of San Fernando de Mexico
The College of San Fernando de Mexico was a Roman Catholic Franciscan missionary college, or seminary , founded in Mexico City by the Order of Friars Minor on October 15, 1734...
. He was elected guardian of the college and his office here until his death in Mexico, where he had completed his life of Serra, most of which he had written while still in California.
Legacy
Francesc Palou played many key roles and offices vital to the establishment of several of the first nine missions in CaliforniaSpanish missions in California
The Spanish missions in California comprise a series of religious and military outposts established by Spanish Catholics of the Franciscan Order between 1769 and 1823 to spread the Christian faith among the local Native Americans. The missions represented the first major effort by Europeans to...
and many of those in Mexico. He compiled a standard history of the California missions from 1767 to 1784 in his "noticias" as a four-volume set. He also wrote of his teacher, Junípero Serra. Both works provide key information about early California and the missionary system established there.
Works
- Palou, Francisco. 1926. Historical Memoirs of New California. Edited by Herbert E. Bolton. 4 vols. University of California Press, Berkeley.
- Palou, Francisco. 1955. Life of Fray Junipero Serra. Edited by Maynard J. Geiger. Academy of American Franciscan History, Washington, D.C.
- Palou, Francisco. 1994. Cartas desde la península de California (1768-1773). Edited by José Luis Soto Pérez. Editorial Porrúa, Mexico City.
- Palou, Francisco. Noticias de la Nueva California (Volume II). Translated by Miguel Venegas. California: University Microfilms Inc., 1966.