The Catholic Defender: Saint Pedro Calungsod
- Donald Hartley
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Saint Pedro Calungsod was born around the year 1654 in the Philippines somewhere in the Visayan Islands. He was martyred at age 17 alongside Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores while on mission in Guam and is recognized as the patron saint of Filipino youth.
From his childhood, Pedro Calungsod declared himself unwaveringly for Christ and responded generously to his call.
Calungsod received primary education at a Jesuit boarding school, mastering the Catechism and learning to communicate in Spanish. He also likely honed his drawing, painting, singing, acting, and carpentry skills, as these were necessary for missionary work.
In 1668, Calungsod, then around 14, was amongst the young catechists chosen to accompany Spanish Jesuit missionaries to the Islas de Los Ladrones ("Isles of Thieves"), which had been renamed the Mariana Islands the year before to honor both the Virgin Mary and the mission's benefactress, MarÃa Ana of Austria, Queen Regent of Spain.
Calungsod accompanied the priest Diego San Vitores to Guam to catechize the native Chamorros. Missionary life on the island was difficult as provisions did not arrive regularly, the jungles and terrain were difficult to traverse, and the Marianas were frequently devastated by typhoons. The mission nevertheless persevered, and a significant number of locals were baptized.
Pedro willingly accepted the challenge put to him by Fr. Diego de San Vitores to join him on the Mission to the Chamorros. In a spirit of faith, marked by strong Eucharistic and Marian devotion, Pedro undertook the demanding work asked of him and bravely faced the many obstacles and difficulties he met. In the face of imminent danger, Pedro would not forsake Fr. Diego, but as a "good soldier of Christ", preferred to die at the missionary's side.
While in Guam, Calungsod preached Christianity to the Chamorro people through catechism, while baptizing infants, children and adults at the risk and expense of being persecuted and eventually murdered. Through Calungsod and San Vitores' missionary efforts, many native Chamorros converted to Roman Catholicism.
The recognized miracle date was March 26, 2003. A woman from Leyte had a heart attack and was pronounced clinically dead by accredited physicians. Two hours after the heart attack, she was revived when an attending physician invoked Calungsod's intercession.
Eventually, a spear pierced Pedro's chest, and he collapsed to the ground. Before his own death, Padre Diego provided him with absolution. The naked bodies of the martyrs were dragged to the sea and, after stones were tied to their feet, were disposed of in the water.
From his childhood, Pedro Calungsod declared himself unwaveringly for Christ and responded generously to his call. 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.
San Pedro was originally used by Spanish ships starting in the 1540s. By 1835, San Pedro was one of the most important ports on the Pacific Coast and it was a popular port of call for the U.S. Navy ships.
Saint Pedro Calungsod Famous line is "Let us always remember, God is not generous but He is Generosity Himself; He is not love, but He is Love Himself.
Both Calungsod and San Vitores were subsequently declared martyrs for their faith. Their martyrdoms have been celebrated in the Philippines where Calungsod is revered as a national hero and a model of youthful faith and dedication.
Almighty Father, you gave Pedro Calungsod the strength and the courage to faithfully live and proclaim the Gospel up to the point of shedding his blood. By his example and prayers, may we also give witness to our Christian faith, even in the face of dangers and difficulties.
Saint Pedro Calungsod was born around the year 1654 in the Philippines somewhere in the Visayan Islands. He was martyred at age 17 alongside Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores while on mission in Guam and is recognized as the patron saint of Filipino youth.
On December 19, 2011, the Holy See officially approved the miracle qualifying Calungsod for sainthood by the Roman Catholic Church.
The recognized miracle dates from March 26, 2003, when a woman from Leyte, pronounced clinically dead two hours after a heart attack, was revived when an attending physician invoked Calungsod's intercession.
Calungsod was beatified on March 5, 2000, by Pope John Paul II, and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI at Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on October 21, 2012.
Cardinal Angelo Amato presided over the declaration ceremony on behalf of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. He later revealed that Pope Benedict XVI had approved and signed the official promulgation decrees recognizing the miracles as authentic and worthy of belief.
The College of Cardinals was then sent a dossier on the new saints, and they were asked to indicate their approval.
On February 18, 2012, after the Consistory for the Creation of Cardinals, Amato formally petitioned the pope to announce the new saints' canonization.
The pope wore papal vestments used only on special occasions. Cardinal Ricardo Jamin Vidal, the Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu, concelebrated at the canonization Mass.
