Saint Pedro Calungsod
Also known as
- Peter Calungsod
Profile
Educated by the Jesuits in the Visayas, a section of the Philippines. Pedro could read, write and speak Visayan, Spanish, and Chamorro, paint, draw, sing, and worked as a carpenter. Teenage catechist who worked with Spanish Jesuit missionaries to the violent Chamarros in the Ladrones Islands (modern Marianas) in 1668. Because he was a Christian on a mission to catechize the Chamorros, and Baptisms, Calungsod was murdered by two natives. He died trying to defend Father Diego Luis de San Vitores. Martyr.
Born
- c.1654 in Ginatilan, Cebu, Philippines
- named for Saint Peter the Apostle
- hacked to death with a catana on 2 April 1672 at Tomhom, Guam
- mutilated body thrown into the sea
- 27 January 2000 by Pope John Paul II (decree of martyrdom)
- 5 March 2000 by Pope John Paul II at Vatican City
- the investigation proved the miraculous cure of bone cancer through Pedro’s intercession
Readings
Almighty God, by whose gift Blessed Pedro the Martyr witnessed to the Gospel, even to the shedding of his blood: grant, by his example and intercession, that we too may live for You, boldly and steadfastly, confessing Your name through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. – Official Prayer for Pedro Calungsod
Blessed Pedro Calungsod, Young migrant, Student, Catechist, Missionary, Faithful friend, Martyr, you inspire us by your fidelity in times of adversity, by your courage in teaching the faith in the midst of hostility, and by your love in shedding your blood for the sake of the Gospel. Make our troubles your own (here mention your request), and intercede for us before the throne of Mercy and Grace so that as we experience the help of heaven we may be encouraged to proclaim and live the Gospel here on earth. Amen. – Novena for Blessed Pedro Calungsod
Pedro Calungsod was born around the year sixteen fifty-four, in the Visayas region of the Philippines. His love for Christ inspired him to train as a catechist with the Jesuit missionaries there. In sixteen sixty-eight, along with other young catechists, he accompanied Father Diego Luís de San Vitores to the Marianas Islands in order to evangelize the Chamorro people. Life there was hard and the missionaries also faced persecution arising from envy and slander. Pedro, however, displayed deep faith and charity and continued to catechize his many converts, giving witness to Christ by a life of purity and dedication to the Gospel. Uppermost was his desire to win souls for Christ, and this made him resolute in accepting martyrdom. He died on the second of April, sixteen seventy-two. Witnesses record that Pedro could have fled for safety but chose to stay at Father Diego’s side. The priest was able to give Pedro absolution before he himself was killed. May the example and courageous witness of Pedro Calungsod inspire the dear people of the Philippines to announce the Kingdom bravely and to win souls for God! – Pope Benedict XVI‘s canonization homily for Saint Pedro
MLA Citation
- “Saint Pedro Calungsod“. CatholicSaints.Info. 27 April 2024. Web. 1 May 2024. <>