Saint Pedro Calungsod (Latin: Petrus Calungsod, Italian: Pietro Calungsod; July 21, 1654[3] – April 2, 1672), also known as Peter Calungsod and Pedro Calonsor, was a Roman Catholic Filipino migrant, sacristan and missionary catechist who, along with the Spanish Jesuit missionary Diego Luis de San Vitores, suffered religious persecution and martyrdom in Guam for their missionary work in 1672.[4]

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.

Calungsod was formally beatified on March 5, 2000, by Pope John Paul II. Calungsod was officially canonized by Pope Benedict XVI at Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on October 21, 2012.[5]

Saint Pedro Calungsod, Lay Catechist and Martyr

Born      July 21, 1654

Visayas, Captaincy General of the Philippines

Died      April 2, 1672 (aged 17)

Tumon, Guam, Captaincy General of the Philippines

Venerated in Catholic Church

Beatified-Vatican City March 5, 2000, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City by Pope John Paul II

Canonized-Vatican City October 21, 2012, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City by Pope Benedict XVI

Major shrine-Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Pedro Calungsod, Archbishop's Residence Compound, 234 D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City 6000 PH

Feast     April 2

Attributes-Martyr's palm, spear, bolo, Catechism book, Rosary, Christogram, Crucifix

Patronage-Filipino youth, Catechumens, altar boys, the Philippines, Overseas Filipino Workers, Guam, Cebuanos, Visayans, Archdiocese of Cebu

Please go to the following website for more details:  http://prieststuff.blogspot.com/2012/02/biography-of-blessed-pedro-calungsod.html

  By Tim Pedrosa