Saint Junipero Serra's Camino ─ A Pilgrimage Guide to the California Missions

St. Junipero Serra’s Camino offers a sacred path for missionary disciples today, traveling the ancient way of America’s new saint through the California missions and learning to embody his evangelizing zeal. The author describes the missions founded and envisioned by Serra as places of encounter between the Spanish Franciscans and the Native peoples of California. With deep love for the Indians, Serra sought to bring them the gospel of Jesus Christ while preparing them for the coming influx of European settlers.

The book includes a biography of Saint Serra, descriptions of Native spirituality and the Franciscan missionary tradition, inspiring quotations from and about Serra, and prayers for pilgrimage. For each of the twenty-one mission shrines, this guide incorporates an historical overview, a sketch of its patron, a tour through its church, museum, and grounds, as well as Scripture, litany, and prayer for each. The book may be used as an on-site guidebook or as armchair reading offering moving descriptions of these holy sites.

Stephen J. Binz is an award-winning author and Catholic biblical scholar, holding graduate degrees from the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, with additional studies at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He has written over forty books in biblical theology, commentary, and spirituality. In addition, he is a popular speaker, offering keynotes and addresses at national, regional, and diocesan conference, as well as education for priests and parish leaders, missions, and retreats. [Shortened version can end here.] Binz has developed study programs in the Bible for three decades and is the founder and author of Threshold Bible Study, offering study of Scripture to parishes internationally. He is also a pilgrimage leader, offering tours to biblical lands and other sacred sites. He has earned four First Place certificates in the "Excellence in Publishing Awards" of the Association of Catholic Publishers and a First Place and Second Place with the Catholic Press Association. He lives with his wife Pamela in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. You may see his speaking topics and publications at www.Bridge-B.com.