MANILA, Philippines - A sacristan, a missionary catechist and a native Filipino Bisaya.
These features best describes Blessed Pedro Calungsod, a martyr who stood along Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores in their missionary work in Guam in 1672.
But who really is Pedro Calungsod? In historical records, his origin was never mentioned but later on he was recognized to be a Bisaya from Iloilo. He was described as an agile and athletic boy who tagged along Blessed San Vitores in his rough journeys. At the age of 14, he was among the youngest catechists chosen to accompany the Jesuits in their mission to the Ladrones Islands (popularly known as “Islands of Thieves”). But it was his mission in Guam that truly tested his faith. In their determination to bring Christianity to the Chamorros (natives of Guam), a baptism ritual triggered a furious village chief, afraid of their ways to bring death to both Calungsod and San Victores by hurling spears.
“In Odium Fidei” or In Hatred of the Faith — in the Roman Catholic Church, this phrase is use to describe the Christian martyrdom of Calungsod. This signifies how he endured his sufferings for the sake of evangelizing. In 1994, through the initiative of Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, they asked permission from the Vatican for the beatification and canonization of Pedro Calungsod, whic was later approved by Pope John Paul II.
Adams Travel is organizing a tour for the Canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on October 21 in Vatican. For details, call 521-1651/522-3876.