Serra

SERRA    

Serra is a Catholic lay movement which fosters and promotes Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. 

It was begun in 1934 in Seattle, Washington, by four American businessmen.

They realised that there was a need for an association of Catholic men to further the cause of Catholicism. With the help of their bishop and some friends, they started the first Serra Club with the intention of fostering Vocations to the Priesthood.

After 1945, the movement spread rapidly in the USA and beyond.

Today, there are over 23,000 Serrans (men and women) in over 36 countries worldwide.

Why the name 'Serra?'

It was taken from a Franciscan Priest from Mallorca, Fr. Juniper Serra, who, in the 18th century founded a number of mission stations on the coast of California. When asked by his bishop what he required to continue his work, his reply was always the same, "Send me more Priests."

Some of the mission stations are still surviving today and have given their names to the cities and towns which grew around them, e.g. San Francisco, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Gabriel (Los Angeles)