MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay urged yesterday Filipino Catholics to reflect on San Pedro Calungsod’s supreme sacrifice in defense of his faith.
Binay, who witnessed the installation rites of the second Filipino saint last Sunday at the Vatican, said the canonization was a major and historic event for the Catholic Church and the predominantly Catholic nation.
He said that 12 million Filipinos in various places around the world face the daily challenge of providing for their loved ones at home.
“I pray that like our first saint, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, who was martyred as a migrant, the heroism of St. Pedro Calungsod will inspire Filipinos working overseas as they face their challenges,” Binay said.
“I hope that his life will serve as a model not only for our youth but our fellow Filipinos abroad, as their patron saint,” he added.
He said that as a nation and as a people, Filipinos are embarking on a journey towards a better future.
“The challenges are many, yet with unity, courage and faith in the Almighty, I am extremely confident that we will rise above these challenges. Let us continue praying for ourselves, our loved ones, and our nation,” Binay said.
Migrante-Middle East led by its regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said his group joined the entire Filipino people in saluting San Calungsod.
“We joined in honoring him as the patron saint of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), same with St. Lorenzo Ruiz. Both saints inspire OFWs to follow what they lived for, their good deeds, and both will serve as our inspiration,” Monterona said.