In defense of justice
September 9. St. Peter Claver.
St. Peter Claver was born in 1584 in a small town in Spain and was the son of wealthy farmers. He became a Jesuit at the age of 19 and met St. Alphonsus Rodríguez, the college door-keeper who helped form his missionary spirit. Claver was sent to Colombia as a missionary, where he discovered the tragedy of slavery and dedicated his entire life to the service of slaves. He would await at the port the ships that transported slaves, feeding those who arrived too weak, healing the sick, and buying all those he could and nobody wanted. He managed to baptize 300,000 slaves from Africa, declaring himself an apostle and the “slave of slaves forever.” Peter Claver is the patron saint of slaves and those abandoned because of illness.
Of course, he did not carry out his work without facing opposition. In Cartagena he was accused of infecting the churches and the rich and powerful despised him. But he was not deterred.
In 1650 the plague was unleashed and those affected the most were precisely the slaves, which Claver had dedicated his life to caring for. In the end, he too was afflicted and became paralyzed. Since he was unable to visit the sick, he was soon forgotten by everyone. But when word got out that Peter was dying, the people began remembering his life and work and many went to see him for one last time.
Your turn
Peter was helped to find his way in life by a simple and saintly man, Alphonsus. What role models do you have in your surroundings? What would you dedicate your life to like Peter Claver? What types of slavery do you observe around you? Is there something you could do to help liberate others?
Prayer
Lord, through the intercession of St. Peter Claver, we ask that you grant us the strength to follow you without considering the cost. Grant us light so that we may see our way and passion in life. We thank you for the people around us, whom have helped us see the way and encouraged us to face our difficulties and the neglect and rejection of others. Grant us, like Peter, the protection of your presence and may it be with us always. Amen.
September 27. St. Vincent de Paul
Vincent de Paul was a humble man, the son of peasants who started working at a very young age to help support his family. His father had big plans for him and with great effort he sent him to further his studies in a thriving city. Vincent enjoyed life in the city and began feeling shame about his rural background, his origins, and even of his own father. He became somewhat arrogant.
After four years of study, Vincent went to Toulouse and entered the seminary. His father died leaving him an inheritance to further his studies, but Vincent preferred to manage things on his own. In 1600 he was ordained a priest. He was offered a parish but preferred to continue his studies because his goal was to eventually become a bishop.
During a journey by sea Vincent was imprisoned by Turkish pirates and enslaved for several years until he finally escaped and returned to France. Shortly after his return to Paris he met Pierre de Berulle who wanted to establish a congregation of priests. Vincent did not want to join any movement and finally took charge of a parish. But Berulle kept dreaming of greater things for Vincent and managed to have him named instructor for the children of a rich family related to the Archbishop of Paris. There, Vincent may have had a comfortable and uncomplicated life but he was unhappy. During his journeys he again came into contact with the peasants and the poor. He finally realizes that the gospel demands a radical love. He begins recognizing the needs of the poor and sick and creates a spontaneous movement to help. Soon the conferences and sisters of charity began multiplying.
In 1619, Vincent was appointed chaplain of the galleys where he cared for the poorest of the poor and commenced his struggle to attain a more humane treatment for prisoners. He felt a great compassion and obligation to console and help these human beings.
From there, Vincent forges his way to help all those who were spiritually and materially poor. His movement of priests and nuns has expanded globally. He died on September 27, 1660.
Your turn
How do you see your own origins? Did you ever feel ashamed of your background, culture or parents? What values do you find in them? What ambitions do you have for your own future? What needs do you see around you that are making you restless?
Prayer
Lord, grant us through the intercession of St. Vincent de Paul, dreams for the future that are not motivated by ambitions for personal power, but by your compassion toward others and by the thirst for justice that you have inspired in us. Make us obedient and faithful to your calling to serve the poorest and neediest among us. Amen.
September 28. San Lorenzo Ruiz
The first Filipino saint, Lorenzo Ruiz, was unjustly persecuted. This 17th century man was a layman who
worked as a stenographer in a Dominican monastery elaborating documentation for use in the receiving of sacraments. His father was Chinese and his mother who was Filipino taught him Tagalog and they lived near Manila. Lorenzo was married and had three children.
In 1636, Lorenzo was falsely implicated in a murder. The Dominican friars believed in his innocence and helped him leave the country, sending him on a mission to Japan. But in Japan the Christians were being brutally persecuted! Upon landing in Japan, the missionaries were arrested and tortured. Lorenzo was offered on many occasions to renounce his faith and save his life. He always responded “I will never do that. I am Catholic and happy to die for God. If I had 1,000 lives, I would offer them to God.” He was also offered the possibility of returning to his family in Manila but he stood firm in his faith. Lorenzo died of suffocation on September 29, 1637.
Your turn
Have you ever thought bad luck seems to follow you? Do you feel a victim of life or circumstances? Where do you find happiness? Do you find that life was unfair to Lorenzo Ruiz? What do you believe was his source of strength? Could you find that same source?
Prayer
Lord, God of the faithful, through the intercession of St. Lorenzo Ruiz grant us the strength and love to face the difficult situations in our life with faith and trust in your mercy and may your presence always be with us. Grant us the courage to defend our beliefs in the midst of a hostile society. Amen.
