WHALE WATCHING & MISSION (Day 7 - part 3)

St. Joseph's Church:

The altar

The Ombrellino (little umbrella) is used in basilicas throughout the world. The yellow and red colors are a symbol of the Pope's authority.

The pulpit ... The Alpha and Omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet) signify that Christ is both the beginning and the ending of creation.

Mary (wearing her traditional blue) ... and Joseph (looks like he should be holding something)

Mary, Jesus and a dove ... The Almighty sees all.

Burial spot of several padres, including Jayme ... A station of the cross

A side shine ... with a relic (aka a piece of) Saint Junipero Serra

Wooden figure of Saint Anne (considered to be the mother of the Virgin Mary) ... Wooden figure of Serra

Looking towards the front door ... and towards the altar

Painted ceiling

The shell is the symboy for baptism, the primary goal of the missionaries, ... The large front door

The center courtyard:

The garden became a formal part of the mission after the rebuilding of the church in 1931.

Roses ... and bouganinvillea

The wishing well statue of St. Francis of Assisi (founder of the Francisan Order)

The campanario is 46 feet high and holds the mission bells. The bell on the lower right is the Ave Maria Purisima (Immaculate Mary) and the bell on the lower left is the Mater Dolorosa (Our Lady of Sorrows). This second bell weighs 1,200 pounds and was recast in 1895 from bell fragments found in the nearby vicinity.

Bells played an imporant role in the everyday life of the mission. A sequence of tones and rhythms was developed for the various occasions: to announce Mass, work, meals, siestas, danger, to honor the dead, feastdays, fiestas and weddings.

The cross is made from original mission tiles. ... Father Serra

St. Anthony of Padua (1195 - 1231)

Exhibit room:

Father Fermin Lasuen served as head missionary from 1777 - 1785 until he succeeded Father Junipero Serra as Father Presidente of the Mission System. He was known for his exceptional administrative skills, strong sense of purpose and engaging personality. He managed his constantly understaffed missionaries with compassion and understanding.

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