While praying in a chapel, Jesus spoke to St. Francis the words, “REBUILD MY CHURCH.”
He realized the command wasn’t about a building in ruin, but a call to revival. Convicted with fire, Francis dedicated his life to that effort.
“REBUILD MY CHURCH”… What is His Church? Or better, who is His Church? The answer is simple. It’s you.
The person in the pew, the priest at the altar, the bishop in the chair—we are all the Church He wants to rebuild. Our conversion, our lives lived with Him—this is how He intends to do it.
Christ has a vision for His Bride, and after 50 years, the vision remains.
We go forward.
THE BEGINNING OF A VISION
Amid untamed landscapes, St. Junipero Serra and the missionary Fathers celebrated the first Catholic Mass in what would one day become Orange County, among the dawning of their mission to bring faith to California.
THE CORNERSTONE
Near the site of this first Mass, St Junipero Serra would begin laying the foundational elements of the jewel of the missions, establishing the Mission of San Juan Capistrano.
THE SOURCE
OF LIFE
Mission San Juan Capistrano would become the vibrant heart of the region, infusing new life as a center of evangelization, education, and economic developement.
Regarded as the birthplace of Orange County, it was through this great stone church that the Missionary Fathers set in motion a rich and enduring legacy that millions would come to call home.
A MOTTO
FOR MISSION
St. Junipero Serra and his Missionary Fathers encountered many difficulties, hardships and persecutions as they fought to establish faith and consecrate these lands to Christ. Fr. Serra would press into adversity, prayerfully advancing the Kingdom through his declaration of “Always forward, never back!”
FOR THE APPOINTED TIME
Two centuries later, Pope Paul VI established the Diocese of Orange to
serve the diverse people of this County in a unique way.
A FUTURE
FULL OF HOPE
When the Missionary Fathers offered that first mass, they raised a spiritual flag, welcoming the Kingdom of God, declaring “on earth as in Heaven” here in this land.
At that the same time, the Holy Spirit planted a seed – setting in motion a particular vision for the Bride of Christ that would be articulated over the centuries, leading us to now, the presence – and golden jubilee – of the Diocese of Orange.
JUNE 27, 2026
DETAILS TO COME
