Fr. Ken Laverone, OFM, is a Franciscan friar of the Province of St. Barbara with a long history of pastoral ministry, theological education, and service in canon law. Born into a California family with deep roots in the Spanish mission system, he developed an early interest in California history and the missions. He was ordained a priest in 1979 and joined the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Santa Barbara in 1995.

Fr. Ken holds a Master of Divinity from St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, a Master of Arts in Theology with a concentration in spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union/Jésuit School of Theology in Berkeley, and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the University of St. Thomas in Rome. He has served as pastor of several parishes in the Diocese of Monterey and the Diocese of Sacramento and has held leadership positions within the Franciscan Province of St. Barbara, including Vicar Provincial. He has also served as a professor of Canon Law at the Franciscan School of Theology.

Fr. Ken played a significant role in the canonization cause of St. Junípero Serra, serving as a co-postulator and later as vice-postulator for the cause in the United States. His work included addressing the canonical and legal aspects of the cause. He has also spoken publicly about the complex history of the California missions and the importance of examining the Church’s relationship with Native American communities.

Today, Fr. Ken is associated with the Old Mission Santa Barbara and, although officially retired, continues to minister as a hospital chaplain and canon lawyer. His ministry and teaching