SCOTUS, BLESSED JOHN DUNS (1266-1308)

A Franciscan philosopher and theologian from Scotland whose teachings were studied and utilized by the missionaries in California. Some of his key themes include the necessity of a just exchange of goods; the need for divine revelation; Jesus Christ as the perfection of creation; the innate creative power of women and men; the basic unity of all being, and Mary's role in salvation. Fr. Junípero Serra was a professor of Scotistic philosophy and theology at the Lullian University in Palma, Mallorca, before coming to Mexico.

Franciscan Coat of Arms

Statue on Franciscan Church in Peru

LULL, BLESSED RAYMOND (1236-1314)

A native of Mallorca like Junípero Serra, Raymond Lull founded a college for missionaries to work in northern Africa. As he was a layperson, he joined the Third Order of St. Francis at the Franciscan church in Palma, where Junípero Serra would live many centuries later. Some of his teaching ideas were considered extraordinary for the time, such as teaching the students the common languages of the people of Africa and proposing that there was another continent on the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean. He travelled throughout southern France and Italy to gather support for his missionary school. While attempting to convert Moslems in northern Africa, he was stoned. Left for dead, he was taken by some Italian merchants aboard ship to return to Mallorca. Upon seeing Palma again, Lull died and was buried in the Franciscan church.

BONAVENTURE OF BAGNOREGIO, SAINT (1221-1274)

Considered to be a second founder of the Franciscan Order, St. Bonaventure's theology and spirituality were well known by missionaries of California. Some of his major themes include creation as a mirror which reflects God; finding the presence of the divine in the coincidence of opposites; the unity of all reality in Christ; and the primacy of love over intellect. Professor at the University of Paris where Scotus would teach later, Bonaventure was made Bishop and Cardinal in 1273. Mission San Buenaventura is named for him.

HOME | About | Archaeology | Archive | Articles & Book Reviews | Bibliographies | Conference | Directory | Events | Illustrated Glossary | Journals | Links | Membership | Publications

Article reprinted by permission of the author. All rights reserved.
Webpage © 1997-2003 CMSA. Last updated 13 September 2003.