Mission San Juan Capistrano, CA

Did you know you can sponsor individual flags to honor a specific military member, veteran, and/or first responder? Sponsorships begin at $50 a flag with all proceeds benefiting Homefront America’s charitable programs for military families. Beginning Wednesday, May 26 through Monday, May 31, the flags will be on display as part of the 2021 Field of Honor in partnership with Homefront America. The display will consist of up to 400 seven-foot community sponsored American flags in honor of military heroes and veterans. Active duty, veterans, first responders and Mission Members will receive FREE ADMISSION to the Mission throughout the program. To sponsor a flag, please visit www.homefrontamerica.org

Did you know that Mission San Juan Capistrano once had its own live performance, The Pageant of San Juan Capistrano? The script, written in 1924 by Garnet Holme and directed by Father St. John O’Sullivan, Mission Pastor from 1914-1933 was performed in the Central Courtyard. The artwork for the pageant poster and cover of the program was created by Charles Percy Austin, a local artist who became a long-time friend and supporter of the Mission and is now recognized as an i...mportant California Plein Air painter of his time. View more of his collection in our Mission Treasures Exhibit. Almost 100 years later, theatre returns to Mission San Juan Capistrano. The Mission is excited to partner with South Coast Repertory to provide our visitors with the opportunity to gather safely outdoors abiding by State guidelines in a new series called Outside SCR. This program brings family-friendly theatre and world-class productions to the Mission this summer. Choose between two shows, American Mariachi and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown to enjoy in the beautiful setting of the Mission. Tickets range from $19-$35 and are on sale now. To view dates and times and to purchase tickets, please visit our partner’s website at scr.org or call (714) 708-5555. See more

As we use this time to pause and reflect during the current stay-at-home order, we are looking forward to opening our doors and welcoming you and yours back to Orange County’s only Mission. Mission staff continues to work hard ensuring this Landmark remains a place of purpose and inspiration for all. Join us digitally for a New Year’s walk through of Mission San Juan Capistrano and visit to Serra Chapel. We hope this digital experience brings you a sense of peace and spiritually as we embrace the new year >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSfHCygbIJ4 Which area are you looking forward to visiting most when we re-open? Picture Credit: @be_frappy

"For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice." - T.S. Eliot Photo Credit: nowherephotos

We were so saddened to have to close our doors and cancel our holiday programming and this morning awoke to even more disappointing news when it was discovered someone decided to damage 244 years of history with vandalism. We need your help now more than ever. Mission San Juan Capistrano remains committed to preserving the religious and historical significance of the site. Help us fund critical security and maintenance costs during this temporary closure so we can reopen and continue being a place of inspiration, education, preservation and celebration. A gift in any amount will help us offset costs during our temporary closure >> www.missionsjc.com/donate

Mission Preservation Foundation Welcomes Kerry Herbert, longtime Orange County community leader to its Board of Directors. For many years she and her husband, Gavin Herbert Jr., of Roger’s Gardens, and the Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens, have lent generous support, endorsement and time toward the Mission’s fundraising efforts benefitting its preservation. She and Gavin have also underwritten Roger’s Gardens' beautiful floral design and décor for the Mission’s annual fundraiser ...gala, providing an exquisite setting and stunning visual experience each year. Kerry says she has always been drawn to charity work and the idea of giving back. She cites her grandparents as the primary early influences who shaped her perspective about philanthropy and knew that when she grew up, she would want to follow their encouragement to give back. Kerry has also shared that she feels strongly that charity is something where you can bring your talents, treasures, or time in order to be a part of something meaningful and that for her philanthropy is a passion. She believes that, If you give with your heart first - you’ll find a way to make a difference in that organization that you serve. A California Native, she says she has always gravitated to the missions starting with childhood visits to the San Fernando Mission. Her faith was strengthened during her high school years at Immaculate Heart High School in Hollywood, and during her college years at UC Santa Barbara, she frequented the Mission Santa Barbara. And, since moving to Orange County over 20 years ago, and having her daughter baptized in the Serra Chapel, she has embraced the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Welcome Kerry Herbert to the Mission Preservation Foundation!

Sullivan the Elf was found looking at a recipe from the award-winning The Bells are Ringing: A Call to Table cookbook! #ElfOnAMission #DidYouKnow Now in its fourth printing, the beautiful, prize-winning, "The Bells are Ringing - A Call to Table" hardcover cookbook includes tried and true recipes and is filled with impressionist artwork, beautiful photographs and history relevant to Mission San Juan Capistrano. Pick up your copy today at the Mission Store, a perfect Christmas gift for your relatives or friends.

Thank you to all our supporters in 2020 for helping preserve this historic landmark for future generations. We can’t wait to re-open our doors and welcome you all back to Orange County’s only Mission #2020bestnine Help us re-open in 2021! Please consider making a year-end gift today so we can continue to be a place of inspiration, education, preservation and celebration >> www.missionsjc.com/donate

Mission San Juan Capistrano is proud to present a new digital lecture: "Junípero Serra: The Myths, the Man, and the Statues" presented by Dr. Robert M Senkewicz, professor emeritus of History at Santa Clara University. This special presentation tells the multifaceted story about Junípero Serra, his history, and delves into why he is still a topic of conversation today. In developing our more inclusive historical perspectives and interpretive efforts, we rely on such impressiv...e advisors such as Robert Senkewicz and all academics who have researched and published numerous books and articles on early California history. We believe inclusivity will allow our visitors to draw their own conclusions of what it felt and meant to be a priest, a soldier, a Native American, a post-secularization Catholic, a man, a woman, or child of that time. Lecture run time is 1 hour and 23 minutes. To purchase access to this exclusive digital, pre-recorded lecture visit our website: https://shop.missionsjc.com/SelectSKU.aspx?skuid=1017212

Thank you to all our sponsors for supporting our first-ever Picnic at the Mission fall fundraiser and online auction. With their support, we look forward to hosting a magical evening tonight and tomorrow to benefit the Mission’s stay open campaign and keeping the landmark available during this upcoming holiday season. Those not joining us this evening can still support us by bidding in our online auction. New items added daily >> www.missionsjc.com/FallFundraiser Mission Sa...n Juan Capistrano would like to thank the following for their outstanding support and generosity to help keep the Mission open: Susan Morrison, Vicky and Michael Carabini, The Griffith Family, Laura and James Baratta, Bette and Wylie A. Aitken and GMU Geotechnical, Inc. Also, a special thanks to our wonderful committee who helped make this event happen: Vicky Carabini, Kerry Herbert, Tracie Sullivan, Laura Baratta, Chris Griffith, Laura Freese, Evonne Morton and Stacey Fitts. This holiday season be sure to support your local businesses. We invite you to support these generous establishments that donated to our online auction! Help them be successful and give a gift that helps a business! >> https://event.auctria.com//d8751e10fddb11e9aebbed553e7d0e4c Photo Credit: nothingleftout

As part of our holiday programming, the Mission partnered with local community groups to celebrate the season. Throughout the Mission grounds there are 11 Christmas trees, each uniquely decorated by non-profits, organizations, families, and local businesses. Today's featured tree is sponsored by Buy My Bikes who has been serving Orange County for 42 years. Located off the 5 Freeway and Camino Capistrano, view their own brand of electric bikes and see what all the buzz is about. Learn more at www.buymybikes.com Stay tuned for more community tree highlights in the coming weeks that can be enjoyed digitally.

Celebrate the holiday season at California Landmark #200 and join us for Capistrano Lights on select evenings from December 3 through January 3. Tickets go on sale in two weeks beginning Friday, November 6 for Mission Members only at 9:00 a.m. Experience the Mission at night with a tree lighting, nativity in the Ruins of the Great Stone Church, prayer candles and community Christmas trees. Don’t miss out on our COVID safe holiday event. Tickets are limited and will only be sold online. Not a Mission Member? Purchase your membership now to receive advance purchase opportunity and discounted tickets >> www.missionsjc.com/store/membership Photo Credit: christineanneho

Annually, for nearly a decade, we have tolled the historic bells remembering those who built the Mission and ultimately perished during the mass of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on December 8, 1812. On this day a 7.0 earthquake brought down the massive structure taking the lives of 40 baptized, Native Catholics. This year, as a result of donations of support, the Mission was able to fabricate and install a beautiful commemorative bronze marker honoring the victims of tha...t day, recognizing them by their given Indigenous name and their new name given at baptism. Usually, each year the Mission tolls the bells in memory of the victims. Sadly this year, because the Mission is shuttered due to COVID, we were not able to have this bell ringing tradition. We hope that when the Mission San Juan Capistrano is re-opened, you will come view the new marker and take a moment to remember the past. To help Mission San Juan Capistrano in this time of need, and to ensure we can continue meaningful traditions and programs visit www.missionsjc.com/donate to make a gift of any kind to our Stay Open Campaign.

Looking for a fun, unique and educational activity to keep the family entertained during the current stay-at-home order? Book a virtual tour of Mission San Juan Capistrano for your whole family! Kids of all ages will enjoy this livestream Mission walkthrough led by an expert Mission guide who provides an overview of Mission history while walking through the historic site. Experience the history and beauty of the Mission all from the comfort of your own home. Book or Gift a Livestream Mission Walkthrough Now >> www.missionsjc.com/book

This week the Mission celebrated the return of three historic statues to the Serra Chapel. The three statues were moved from their permanent place in the Serra Chapel this past January to receive much needed conservation. The c. 18th century statues of Saint Dominic and Saint Ignatius of Loyola are believed to have been displayed in the niches of the Great Stone Church before the earthquake of 1812. The artist that created them is unknown but they likely traveled to the Missi...on from Mexico. The statue of Saint Joseph dates to the 1930s and was created by the Daprato Statuary Company, Chicago, Illinois. All three were in need of cleaning, stabilization of surface paint and in-painting of losses. Fine Art Conservation Laboratories (FACL) in Santa Barbara who has worked with the Mission on several conservation projects in recent years was contracted for this project. While the COVID-19 pandemic slowed progress, Mission and FACL staff maintained constant contact to continue to move forward to conserve these important works of art. This important project was completed thanks to funding provided by Mission Volunteer Carole Valenick Bocchini in memory of her late husband, William R. Bocchini. Plan a trip to the Mission this fall to see this recently conserved statues in the historic Serra Chapel. Photos show the Saint Joseph statue before conservation, after conservation and his current placement in Serra Chapel

Did you know? You can help support California Landmark #200 by shopping at the Mission Store. Proceeds help keep our doors open during this challenging time. Shop the store’s unique collection of Día de los Muertos items including figurines, sugar skull items, Milagros hearts and crosses, and just added hand embroidered masks featuring a variety of designs. Mission Members can use their exclusive 30% off coupon featured in the recent JEWEL magazine. After shopping in store, make sure to visit the 18th century Sala in remembering your loved ones by placing their name on our Día de los Muertos altar or ofrenda on display through November 2.

The bidding continues as we raise much needed funds in order to keep our doors open due to the effects of the pandemic. Our fall fundraiser online auction continues through Monday, October 26. Don’t miss the opportunity to bid on a 3-night stay at the brand-new Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano hotel within walking distance of the Mission, a 2-night stay in an ocean view room at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel or the recently added pick your ocean adventure from Dana Wha...rf Sportfishing package. Bid now >> www.missionsjc.com/FallFundraiser More ways you can help: Make a donation to our stay open campaign at www.missionsjc.com/donate Reserve a picnic experience for Saturday, October 24 or Sunday, October 25 by today at noon! www.missionsjc.com/store/ticket All proceeds from our Fall Fundraiser Picnic at the Mission and online auction support the Jewel of the missions.

"The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for." - Norman Vincent Peale

See what's new at Mission San Juan Capistrano and gardens by viewing our latest edition of the JEWEL newsletter published quarterly for Mission Members. Learn more about our recent preservation efforts, reserve your special picnic experience for October 24 or October 25 while supporting our Fall Fundraiser and helping keep the Mission open, register for our online auction and see new items just added, and save the dates for our COVID safe return of our nightly Christmas tree lighting "Capistrano Lights." Read our fall JEWEL newsletter for all the details >> https://www.flipsnack.com//the-jewel-magazine-fall-2020.ht

IT’S FINALLY HAPPENING! Our Fall Fundraiser online auction is officially live! Register now to bid on many items up for grabs. Items include a lifetime front-of-the-line pass to Heritage Barbecue, a two-night stay at Lido House Newport Beach, an "I Love San Juan Capistrano" package and more! Bidding will close on Monday, October 26 at 12:00 pm. Keep checking for newly added items! Be a part of history and help save Mission San Juan Capistrano by keeping our doors open! Let the bidding begin >> www.auctria.com/auction/missionsjc

Want to experience the magic of the Mission? Join us on a first-ever sunset tour and enjoy that illuminating hour and see the iconic spots of the Mission like never before. The sunset tour is only offered as an add-on experience to our Picnic at the Mission, our inaugural Fall Fundraiser and online auction. Reserve your picnic experience and sunset tour for either Saturday, October 24 or Sunday, October 25 all in support of helping keep Mission San Juan Capistrano open. Get all the details and learn about how to pre-register for our online action >> www.missionsjc.com/FallFundraiser

Help the Mission stay open through the holiday season! Did you know the Mission had to close its doors from March 16, 2020 through June 11, 2020 and although we were able to re-open we still need your help now more than ever? You can help keep the Mission doors open by reserving a picnic experience on Saturday, October 24 or Sunday, October 25 in support of Picnic at the Mission, our inaugural Fall Fundraiser and online auction. Enjoy this one-of-a-kind, COVID safe evening while we bid farewell to the swallows. Support the Mission and reserve your spot today and make sure to pre-register for our online auction that kicks off on October 16, new items recently added! >> www.missionsjc.com/FallFundraiser

Join us today in celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day! In honor of the history and culture of the local Acjachemen people and all native people, the Mission is proud to share a special preview of our new education video: Mission Bell Ringing and Native American Singing on our website and social media outlets. This video features members of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation and the full version is complimentary with the booking of any Mission education prog...ram. View the video >> https://youtu.be/ullR8U49Jp0 The Mission is honored to host several education programs focusing on Native American history and culture including: In Our Voice: Mission Bell Ringing and Native American Singing Video (Pre-Recorded Distance Learning Program) In Our Voice: Native American Storytelling Video Series, Presented by Jacque Tahuka Nunez, Native American Educator (Pre-Recorded Distance Learning Program) Journeys to the Past Presented by Jacque Tahuka Nunez, Native American Educator (Onsite Program) To book an education program for the 2020-2021 school year, please call (949) 234-1306, email [email protected] or visit our website at www.missionsjc.com/book

It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end. - Ernest Hemingway

Save the date for online ticket sales beginning Friday, November 6 for our limited return of Capistrano Lights! The Mission will celebrate the holiday season on select evenings December 3, 2020 through January 3, 2021, with a set capacity and social distancing, for visitors to enjoy a Christmas tree lighting, nativity in the Ruins of the Great Stone Church, prayer candles and community Christmas trees throughout the grounds. Enjoy a safe evening of family holiday fun at your favorite local landmark. Learn more about the return of this beloved tradition >> www.CapistranoLights.com