Saint Juniper

Saint Juniper

The Servant of God, Juniper, O.F.M., best known as Brother Juniper (Italian: Fra Ginepro) (died 1258), called "the renowned jester of the Lord," was one of the original followers of St. Francis of Assisi. Not much is known about Juniper before he joined the friars. In 1210, he was received into the Order of Friars Minor by St. Francis himself. "Would to God, my brothers, that I had a whole forest of such Junipers," Saint Francis would pun.

Francis sent him to establish "places" for the friars in Gualdo Tadino and Viterbo. When St. Clare of Assisi was dying, Juniper consoled her. Juniper is buried at Ara Coeli Church at Rome. His feast day is celebrated on 29 January.

The Blessed Junípero Serra (1713–1784), born Miquel Josep Serra i Ferrer, took his religious name name in honor of Brother Juniper when he was received into the Order.

Read more about Saint Juniper:  The Legend of The Pig's Feet, See Also, External Links

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