01/04/2023
Today is the Feast of Saint Pedro Calungsod. (N.B.: If April 2 falls on a Holy Week, his feast is transferred on the Saturday before Palm Sunday; thus, his feast is moved to April 1 this year, in accordance with the liturgical norms set by the Archdiocese of Cebu for Pedro's feast day).
Saint Pedro Calungsod was born in the Visayan region of the Philippines on circa 1654. At a young age of 14, he joined the Jesuit mission to the Marianas Islands as a companion of Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores. As a skilled sacristan and teacher of catechism, he was able to catechize the natives and, through their efforts, many receive the sacraments especially that of baptism. A plot to kill Pedro and San Vitores started when a certain Choco, a Chinese who gained influence over the Macanas of Marianas Island, circulated false accusations that the missionaries were spreading poison through the ritual of the pouring of water and the celebration of Holy Mass.
On April 2, 1672, Pedro Calungsod was slain with a spear and bolo, in defense of Padre Diego de San Vitores; however, the latter was murdered alongside Pedro. Both were martyred after baptizing an infant and mother who converted to the Roman Catholic faith. The mortal remains of the martyrs could never be recovered as their bodies were thrown into the depths of the ocean. Pedro Calungsod was beatified on March 5, 2000, by Pope Saint John Paul II; and was canonized as Saint by Pope Benedict XVI on October 21, 2013, making him the second Filipino saint after San Lorenzo Ruiz.
COLLECT
All-powerful and eternal God,
you made Saint Pedro Calungsod faithful
in the preaching of the Gospel
even to the point of shedding his blood.
By his merits and intercession,
grant that we may also be strong in faith
to persevere until death.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ
your Son, who lives and reigns with you in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever
and ever. Amen.
(c) Archdiocese of Jaro, Commission on Social Communications
