WHEN JSERRA CATHOLIC High School was founded in 2003, its founders chose to name the new coeducational institution after St. Junípero Serra, the recently canonized Franciscan priest who established missions along the California coast.
Among them is Mission San Juan Capistrano, which is a just over a mile away from the school’s campus.
JSerra’s founders were aware of St. Serra’s credo, “Siempre Adelante, Nunca Atras,” which means, “Always forward, never backward.”
Inspired by its patron saint’s mission to go forward and bring the Gospel to as many people as possible, JSerra held its inaugural Adelante Fest in March 2023. Despite cold temperatures and rain, many attended the event.
JSerra continued surging forward with its second Adelante Fest on Aug.17. Well over 1,000 celebrants filled the gymnasium in the JSerra Pavilion for a vigil Mass before relocating to the adjacent field for an evening of family friendly activities that included live music, games, inflatables and food trucks.
Speaking to the crowd from the outdoor stage, JSerra president Rich Meyer said the Adelante Fest will grow to become an annual tradition.