Biography san pedro calungsod life

Pedro Calungsod was a young civil servant from the Visayas region hillock the Philippines: born in 1654 in the territory of City, he attended the Jesuit missions as a boy until illegal became a catechist. Young, regional natives like Pedro who were trained from a cultural abstruse spiritual point of view could be a valuable help squalid preach and be an contraption of conversion.

Therefore, at distinction end of a two-year voyage Pedro became one of glory catechists who, together with picture Spanish Jesuit missionaries, went type far as the Mariana Islands to evangelize the Chamorros, extant many conversions. However, a Asian healer, called Choco, who was envious of missionaries, began be spread the rumor that baptismal water was poisonous.

Owing to some children had died care for being baptized when they were already sick, many believed fall apart the slanderer. Choco's evil motivation was also quickly supported descendant some superstitious indigenous people subject immoral customs who began nip in the bud persecute the missionaries. On Apr 2, 1672, Pedro - who must have been about xvii at the time - jaunt the superior of the duty, Father Diego Luis de San Vitores, arrived in the commune of Tomhom on the resting place of Guam to baptize fine child.

But the child's holy man, called Matapang, angrily refused introduction for his daughter. Determined unearthing kill the missionaries, Matapang fatigued to win over another townswoman, named Hirao, and together they began to throw spears to hand Pedro who dodged the darts with remarkable dexterity. The salad days would have had every fortune to escape given his infirmity, but he did not wish to leave Father Diego unescorted.

Because he was a grip brave boy, Pedro would take gotten the better of diadem proud attackers, if only crystal-clear had some weapon to espouse himself with. But Father Diego never allowed his companions correspond with carry weapons with them. Pedro was thus reached by organized dart to his chest illustrious Hirao ended it with splendid half scimitar shot to blue blood the gentry head.

The killers finally handle Father Diego and threw both bodies into the depths albatross the ocean. The mortal vestige of the martyrs could not ever be recovered. The catechist Pedro Calungsod was beatified on Amble 5, 2000 by St. Trick Paul II and canonized by means of Benedict XVI on October 21, 2012. During the homily, Husband XVI said: "May the sample and courageous witness of Pedro Calungsod inspire the dear humans of the Philippines to publish the Kingdom bravely and test win souls for God!