PEDRO CALUNGSOD – The Second Filipino Saint
Blessed Pedro Calungsod’s long journey
to sainthood will finally come to its end on October 21 – twelve years after
his beatification and 340 years after his death. This celebration has also been
the much-awaited day when the second Filipino, after San Lorenzo Ruiz, will be
canonized in Rome as per the official statement of Pope Benedict XVI at Saint
Peter’s Basilica on February 18.
He was a young man from Visayas –
a catechist, a mission assistant, a sacristan, and a martyr. When he was sent
to Guam in 1672, along with other Jesuit missionaries, they were tasked to
build chapels to encourage the natives to convert to Christianity. They experienced
hostility and resentment for spreading their faith, but they were really
committed to their mission even if that would mean sacrificing their own lives.
They also suffered from religious persecution and martyrdom for their
missionary works.
Calungsod is often illustrated as
a young man wearing camisa de chino. He
holds the martyr’s palm that indicates his death, or sometimes a crucifix,
catechism book or rosary that represents his mission.
The Roman Catholic calendar of
Martyrology celebrates his feast along with Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores
every 2nd day of April.
For more details about his life,
works and martyrdom, feel free to visit www.pedrocalungsod.org.
- Mommy Mai