The Life of Sto. Calungsod – The New Saint that Inspires the Youth

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October 21, 2012 marked the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod at the Vatican City. He is now honored as the second Filipino Saint. Saint Pedro Calungsod serves as an inspiration to the youth to live a blessed and holy life. He was a missionary Catechist who died as a martyr. According to documents that tell about his early life, he was from Cebu.

As a Catholic missionary, young man Pedro Calungsod joined a Jesuit priest, Father Diego Luis de San Vitores, in his mission to spread Catholicism in Marianas Islands (Guam) in 1668. In their efforts to fulfil their mission and make the word of God known to the natives, they introduced the Sacrament of Baptism. The pride and refusal of some natives to embrace Christianity and believe in the mission set forth by Father Diego and his loyal companion; led to their death. Pedro Calungsod died in his brave attempt to protect Father Diego by using his own body to shield the priest from the attacks of the natives named Matapang and Hirao. He was killed first with a spear which landed on his chest. History said that Matapang was insulted when Father Diego baptized his son without him knowing it.

Young man Pedro Calungsod used the first book of Catechism known as Doctrina Christiana in his missionary works. From the time of his death more than three hundred years ago to the discovery of his martyrdom in 1980’s, his road to sainthood had been long. It was in 1997 when Father Ildebrando Jesus A. Leyson was assigned by Cardinal Vidal as the vice postulator who will write the official report about Pedro Calungsod. In 2000, Pedro Calungsod was recognized as a true martyr and his beatification immediately followed naming him Blessed Pedro. Since he died a martyr, only one miracle from him was required in order to name him a Saint. This miracle happened when a doctor prayed for the recovery of a comatose stroke patient to Blessed Pedro Calungsod. The prayer was miraculously granted.

Fifteen years from the time Father Leyson started his work in promoting Blessed Pedro; the young missionary of Cebu was canonized as Saint Pedro Calungsod – second Filipino Saint, martyr and loyal servant of God.

Watch this MTV of Pedro Calungsod from Youtube