Ministry in the Americas thumb|right|upright|Serra monument in Jalpan de Serra, a city named after Serra in Querétaro, Mexico In 1749, Serra and the Franciscan missionary team landed in Veracruz, on the Gulf coast of New Spain (now Mexico). To get from Veracruz to Mexico City, Serra and his Franciscan companions took the Camino Real (), a rough road stretching from sea level through tropical forests, dry plains, high plateaus and volcanic sierra mountains to an altitude of . Royal officials provided horses for the 20 Franciscan friars to ride up the Camino Real. All accepted the offer, except for Serra and one companion, a friar from Andalusia. Strictly following the rule of his patron saint Francis of Assisi that friars "must not ride on horseback unless compelled by manifest necessity or infirmity," Serra insisted on walking to Mexico City. He and his fellow friar set out on the Camino Real with no money or guide, carrying only their breviaries. They trusted in Providence and the hospitality of local people along the way.
ministry in the americas thumb|right|upright|serra monument in jalpan de serra a city named after serra in querétaro mexico in 1749 serra and the franciscan missionary team landed in veracruz on the gulf coast of new spain (now mexico) to get from veracruz to mexico city serra and his franciscan companions took the camino real () a rough road stretching from sea level through tropical forests dry plains high plateaus and volcanic sierra mountains to an altitude of  royal officials provided horses for the 20 franciscan friars to ride up the camino real all accepted the offer except for serra and one companion a friar from andalusia strictly following the rule of his patron saint francis of assisi that friars "must not ride on horseback unless compelled by manifest necessity or infirmity" serra insisted on walking to mexico city he and his fellow friar set out on the camino real with no money or guide carrying only their breviaries they trusted in providence and the hospitality of local people along the way