The ninth mission was named after St. Bonaventure who was born in Bagnoregio, Italy in 1217. At the age of 40 he was elected General Minister of the Order. At the peak of his career in 1273 he was created Cardinal Bishop of Albano. He was one of the greatest scholars and theologians of the medieval period. His chief labor, however, was in bringing unity to the friars of the Order and between Eastern and Western Church. He died in 1274 working for the reconciliation of the Christian world. He was canonized in 1482.

Saint Bonaventure

Originally intended as the third mission to be built, San Buenaventura was actually the last mission to be founded during Father Serra’s lifetime. Serra wrote that the mission shared this delay in common with its namesake, St. Bonaventure, whose canonization was delayed for centuries. “The longer it took, the more solemnly did we celebrate.

The mission was located in one of the most populous regions of native California along the shore of the Santa Barbara channel. On Easter morning, March 31, 1782, Serra raised the cross at La Playa de la Canal de Santa Barbara, which means the beach at Santa Barbara Channel. The fertile land was perfect for the agricultural industry. This mission grew exotic fruits including mangos, bananas and sugar cane, and was a popular stop for whaling vessels as hey plied the coastal waterways.