Father Presidente Junipero Serra

He was a Spanish Franciscan friar who a mission in Baja California and the first 9 of 21 Spanish missions in California; San Antonio de Padua was number 3. He was the head of the Franciscan order in California, in charge of dealing with not just church officials but also Spanish officials in Mexico City and the commanders of the various presidios. He was beautified by Pope John Paul II on September 25 1988.