Saint Pedro Calungsod
Filipino Saint - July 21, - April 2,
Feastday: April 2
Although born in the Philippines, St. Pedro Calungsod is loosely considered an American saint because he was martyred in the United States territory of Guam. Unfortunately, there is not much known about him, especially his early life.
History tells us he was one of the young volunteers who joined the Spanish Jesuit missionaries who left the Philippines for the Ladrones Islands in the western Pacific in Pedro served there, alongside his peers, as a catechist and teacher of the Faith.
As is the case in most mission lands, life was difficult. Delivery of supplies was irregular. The natural terrain and weather made the situation harsher. One can imagine life among their dense jungles, steep cliffs and storms. Faithful to the Lord’s command to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth, however, these brave missionaries persevered.
Early years and missionary work.
Disputed origin
Few details of the early life of Calungsod (spelled Calonsor in Spanish records) are known. Historical records do not mention his exact birthplace or birth date and merely identified him as "Pedro Calo
Calungsod, Pedro, Bl.
Also known as "El Visayo," lay catechist and martyr; b. Visayas region of the Philippines c. &#x;58; d. Tomhon on San Juan, Ladrones Islands (now Guam, Marianas Islands) April 2, The only documentation concerning Calungsod's life is found in the materials about his companion in martyrdom, Blessed Fr. Diego Luis de san vitores. Calungsod received his education in minor seminary of Loboc, Bohol, where he learned doctrine, Spanish, and Latin.
Arriving on Guam with the first Jesuit missionaries (June 16, ), fourteen-year-old Pedro assisted San Vitores in the evangelization the Marianas Islands, then under the Filipino Diocese of Cebu. During the first six months, the missionaries counted 13, baptisms; another 20, natives were under instruction. For four years Pedro assisted by teaching Christian hymns and the catechism and serving at Mass until the day the priest and catechist encountered the local chieftain, Matapang and his friend Hirao. Matapang was enraged that San Vitores, at the request of the chief's wife, had baptized his daughter against his will. Pedro had an opportunity to escape, but threw himself in the path of Hirao's spear, offering himself
Pedro Calungsod
Lay assistant to San Vitores
Pedro Calungsod arrived in Guam 15 June , along with Father Diego Luis de San Vitores and a group of Jesuit missionaries and lay assistants from the Philippines. Father San Vitores believed that young men, strong in their faith like Calungsod, would be helpful in influencing the youth in the Marianas. The Jesuit missionaries only chose those catechists and assistants who were outstanding models of Christian life to accompany them on their missions. Calungsod was in his late teens, possibly 17, when he came to the Marianas.
Calungsod was officially canonized in October as a Catholic saint by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome more than years after Calungsod&#;s death. Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron of Guam attended the ceremony in Rome. Hundreds of people attended the Mass at the Shrine of Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores in Tumon, Guam. Eight priests and two deacons performed Mass while accompanied by a choir from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School. During Mass, church leaders encouraged those in attendance to hold Calungsod as an example and remember him as one of the forbears of Catholicism on the island.
Not much is known about
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