This coming October 21, 2012 will be the canonization or the declaration of Blessed Pedro Calungsod as a saint. He will be the second Filipino saint, the other one is Lorenzo Ruiz.
About his life
Blessed Pedro Calungsod was born on 1655. His historical place of origin is not specific, some claimed that he comes from either Ginatilan Cebu, Hinunangan and Hinundayan in Southern Leyte, Molo district Iloilo or from Loboc Bohol. He received his basic education at a Jesuit boarding school. At around 14 years old he was on of those young catechist who accompanied the Jesuits in their mission to Ladrones Islands or Mariana Islands. Pedro and San Vitores went to Guam to catechise the natives.
His Martyrdom
Blessed Pedro Calungsod was killed at the age of 18 while doing his missionary work on April 2, 1627, a day before Palm Sunday that year. He was persecuted together with San Vitores after a certain Chinese named Choco accused them of spreading poison through the baptism ritual.
Beatification and Cannonization
Blessed John Paul II beatified Blessed Pedro on March 5, 2000 in Saint Peter's Square in Rome. Last December 2011, the Filipino martyr passed the third and final stage towards sainthood after the Vatican verified a second miracle attributed to him—the healing of a businesswoman from the Visayas who fell into a coma in 2003. His date for cannonization will be on October 21, 2012.
Blessed Pedro Calungsod is a role model to all the Filipinos that despite challenges in life and faith we keep on holding to God. He is an inspiration to all of us! Mabuhay ka Blessed Pedro Calungsod and we are proud of you!
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