Saint Pedro Calungsod

For my blog followers especially from Malaysia and all the youths and teenagers, I would like to introduce Saint Pedro Calungsod.  Canonized just today by Pope Benedict XVI. 
He is the 2nd Saint from the Philipines after St. Lorenzo Ruiz canonized in 1987.

Pedro Calungsod was a young catechist from the Philippines. He was a faithful assistant to the Jesuit priest, Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores in the Marianas Mission and was trained and educated by the Jesuits to be a catechist. Pedro Calungsod may only have been in his early teens (between 12 and 15 years old) when he went with Padre Diego to Guam in 1668. He was about 17years of age when he was martyred on April 2, 1672. Indeed he is a patron saint for all youths especially the teenagers who are called to imitate his life and be inspired by his example and aided by his prayers.

Bl. Pope John Paul II, a pope of our recent time has this to say about Pedro Calungsod during the beatification..."Young people today can draw encouragement and strength from the example of Pedro, whose love of Jesus inspired him to devote his teenage years to teaching the faith as a lay catechist....Today Pedro Calungsod intercedes for the young...and he challenges them."  

Click here for more read on Saint Pedro Calungsod.  
 
My dear young friends, I really hope that you may consider seriously of being a missionary in your own simple ways to proclaim God's Kingdom. You may want to be a lay catechist at your parishes. I myself was a young lay catechist in my home parish, taking up the responsibility immediately after my Sacrament of Confirmation. Thanks to a friend, Malcolm Gomez who encouraged me to take up this role with him. I really did enjoy in this ministry not only teaching to the younger children and youths but also continuing to learn more of my faith in the church of Christ.

Prayer to Saint Pedro Calungsod

Saint Pedro Calungsod,
student, catechist, young migrant,
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 live
and proclaim the Gospel here on earth.
Amen.

See next post on the chapel of Saint Pedro Calungsod.