The school was named in honor of Father Junipero Serra, the intrepid Apostle of California. Father Serra, a zealous and courageous missionary who traveled the length of California, and founded the first nine of the twenty-one Missions, was born at Petra on the Island of Mallorca, November 24, 1713. After his ordination as a Franciscan priest, he taught philosophy and theology with great distinction at the Lullian University of Palma. In 1749, he volunteered for the Missions of the New World and sailed for Mexico to enter the Apostolic College of San Fernando. He also zealously labored at various Missions in the Sierra Gorda region of Mexico. In 1767, when the Spanish governor exiled the Jesuits from Baja California, Father Serra was named president of the missions there. Two years later, at the age of 55 and afflicted with an ulcerous leg, he set out on an expedition with Portola, traveling almost a 1000 miles and landing at San Diego were he founded he's first mission. For the remainder of he's life, he traveled the length of the future state, founding 8 additional missions. Worn out by excessive toil, he died at Carmel, On August 27, 1784, at the age of 71. A signal honor was accorded him in 1913. His statue was placed in the Hall of Fame in the Capital at Washington. In 1934 , at the request of the bishop of Monterey-Fresno and the Provincial of the Franciscans at San Barbara, his cause for sainthood was begun. This reached a successful milestone in September, 1988 when he was declared Blessed By Pope John Paul II before a large concourse of people at St Peter's Basilica, Rome. Among them the school Principal, Monsignor Charles Hill.