A Bit of Mission History on Corpus Christi Sunday

When you grow up in America, at some point in your elementary school education you learn about the state you live in. By the time fourth grade rolled around, I had a firm grip and deep love of California’s rich history.

Our childhood was filled with adventure. Nearly every weekend Dad loaded up all the kids, the family dogs and anyone else who happened to be around into the trusty station wagon. We’d spend the entire day immersed in a bit of California’s history. Living not far from the state’s capital, in the shadow of the foothills made famous with the discovery of gold, history existed just outside our doorstep. Dad inspired in me, in all of his children, a great love and respect for the past.

Despite this, there is one item on my California History Bucket list that has yet to be fulfilled. I’ve always wanted to spend time at each of the California Missions. In total there are 21 Spanish Missions sprinkled throughout California, all within a day’s drive of home. Okay, some are a full day away. The closest is in San Francisco. America had barely established its independence when Father Serra founded the sixth Catholic Mission in what would eventually be the city to bear its name. This mission was named in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan Order. It is also among those I have yet to see. One day . . .

Hubby, Kiddo and I did have a chance to visit San Francisco Solano, the last mission built and the furthest north. Founded in 1823, it is the only Mexican mission in the state since it was built after Mexico won its independence from Spain. The reason for building this particular mission was less about spreading the faith and more about offsetting the growing Russian presence in California after Russia had established a foothold in the area with Fort Ross. Father Jose Altimira built the mission in the hopes of relocating the San Francisco mission to Sonoma. He chose the name San Francisco Solano in honor of Saint Francis Solanus, a Franciscan missionary from Spain. Saint Francis Solanus spent much of his life in South America. He is the patron saint of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Peru. Better still, Saint Francis Solanus is the patron of protection from earthquakes, which is a good saint to have around in California.

Father Jose Altimira was denied permision to close the San Francisco Mission, and so we have two missions within close proximity with similar names as a part of the Mission legacy.

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It’s not just the last mission built that brings history buffs to Sonoma. In 1846 American settlers in the area raised the Bear Flag for the first time. It flew with pride over the in the garrisons just across from the mission. This first raising of the flag became a symbol of the Bear Flag Revolt in declaratiion of California’s independence from Mexico. Ironically, the origina Bear Flag was later moved to San Francisco, which was considered more worthy to display the State’s first flag. A replica was made and presented to Sonoma. Then in 1906 the actually flag was burned in the fires that followed the Great Earthquake. All that remains today is a replica that is still displayed safely under glass in the Sonoma Barracks.

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I chose today, Corpus Christi Sunday or The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ to share with you our visit to the last of the California Missions. The Catholic in me would not enter the Chaple without first veiling my head. Today this is no longer a church but rather a State Park. Still, once upon a time the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior once dewelled within those walls. If a priest remains a priest forever, his vows leaving a mark on his soul even if he chooses to leave the priesthood, then an alter that once held the Holy Eucharist shall forever be sacred ground.

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You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek