The virtues of San Pedro

As we celebrate the sainthood of San Pedro Calungsod in the National Thanksgiving Mass tomorrow, it is fitting and proper to remind ourselves of the virtues of that youthful saint. This is important to make that landmark event impact on each of us spiritually, which I believe is the very reason behind that big celebration. What are these virtues? As pointed out in a leaflet issued during the Duaw Lungsod of then Beato Pedro in 2006, these are;

• Determination to teach the Christian faith even in the midst of strong oppositions among non-believers, a trait reinforced by the courage to face death for the sake of his faith. At the critical moment when the natives attacked the young catechist and his companion, Fr. Luis de San Vitores, the lances did not at once find their mark, and he could have run to safety. But the thought of leaving Fr. Luis behind was not in his mind.

• Spiritual poverty was shown by him in his willingness to leave behind family and friends and the auspicious life of a young man if only to spread the word of God. Surely, he must have kept in mind the words of Jesus that even if one gains the whole world but in the process loses his soul he loses all.

• Purity in thought, words and actions as shown by his refusal to go along with the sinful practices of the young men in the island.

• Prayerfulness, gave him the strength to carry on his work as a missionary. He must have remembered the following line from the Good Book; Thou will give them strength O, Lord, whose minds are stayed on thee!

• Fervent love of the Holy Eucharist made him frequent the Holy Mass and take communion. He must have been aware of the dangers confronting his missionary work thus he felt the need to be suffused  with spiritual strength through daily partaking of the Body of Christ. Jesus was always with him and the following words must have rung loud and clear in his mind! “The Lord is my life and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge, of whom shall I be afraid?”

• Frequent confession was practiced, perhaps in preparation for the likelihood of losing his life in the course of his works. He would not go out, it was said, to teach catechism or do other spiritual work unless he first confessed to a priest. Confession, he must have been aware, purified his being, and therefore prepared him to meet his Maker in the event of death..

• Hope of salvation was strong in the heart of the young saint. That was why he left everything and bravely faced any threats of his life because he was sure of gaining eternal life as a reward. The young catechist must have kept these words of Jesus in his heart. ‘Truly, whoever has left house or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or children or lands for my sake and for the Gospel, will not lose his rewards. I say to you, even in the midst of persecution he will receive a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and lands in the present times and in the world to come he will receive eternal life.”

• Love of God and fellowmen. It was his love of God that made him dedicate his life in the task of spreading the Gospel among non- believers and violent tribes. No doubt, he felt very much concerned about their ignorance of the word of God and of Jesus Christ. Such concern made him a zealous worker of the faith and a diligent evangelizer,

 The devotees of San Pedro, would do well to keep fresh in their mind and heart these beautiful traits of the saint so that their presence in the Thanksgiving Mass would be meaningful and fruitful. This is the big challenge as they come together to honor the second Filipino saint in a historic gathering.