27/09/2025
September 28-FEAST OF SAN LORENZO RUIZ DE MANILA
Today, we solemnly commemorate the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint and martyr, a shining example of unwavering faith and courage. His life reminds us of the strength that can be found in ordinary people who live extraordinary lives of faith.
San Lorenzo was born in Binondo, Manila, in the early 1600s. A devoted Catholic, he served as an altar boy and worked as a calligrapher for the church. He was a husband, a father, and a layman—just like many of us. But when persecution came, he was falsely accused of a crime and fled the Philippines with missionary priests, eventually arriving in Nagasaki, Japan, where Christians were being severely persecuted.
Despite brutal torture, he refused to renounce his faith. His final words were powerful:
"I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for God. If I had a thousand lives, all these to Him shall I offer."
He was martyred in 1637 and canonized in 1987 by Pope St. John Paul II, becoming a symbol of deep Filipino faith and resilience.
Prayer to San Lorenzo Ruiz:
O most merciful and loving God,
You gave us San Lorenzo Ruiz as a shining example of faith, courage, and fidelity.
Through his intercession, grant us the strength to face our own trials with trust in You.
Help us to live with the same love and boldness he showed,
even in the face of death.
San Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us. Amen.
Viva San Lorenzo Ruiz!
Patron of Overseas Filipino Workers and the Laity