Canonization Set For Visayan Martyr

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-five years after the canonization of San Lorenzo Ruiz on Oct. 18, 1987 by Blessed Pope John Paul II, the country proudly welcomes its second saint, Pedro Calungsod (1654 - 1672), who will be venerated the world over as Saint Pedro on October 21, 2012.

The Vatican has announced the canonization of the 17th century Visayan martyr, along with six others, following the approval of Pope Benedict XVI, according to the Vatican's official website.

The Pope made the announcement through Angelo Cardinal Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, at the St. Peter's Basilica, following a ceremony in which 22 bishops from around the world were elevated to the rank of cardinal.

The Vatican had earlier recognized the recovery from a deep coma of a Cebu businesswoman as a miracle obtained through Calungsod's intercession.

Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Cebu is expected to go full swing in its preparations for the big event. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has appointed Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal as the overall head for the preparations for the archdiocese-wide celebration.

Vidal will help organize the group of pilgrims that will include auxiliary bishops and devotees who will witness first-hand the canonization rites in Rome.

"It's a witnessing," said the prelate of the canonization rites. A thanksgiving mass will be celebrated by the archdiocese after the formal rites in Rome.

Blessed Pedro was martyred for his faith at the young age of 17 in Tumon, Guam, in 1672 while doing missionary work along with a Spanish Jesuit priest, then the rector of the evangelization mission and now, Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores.

Blessed Pope John Paul II beatified the former altar boy on March 5, 2000, and declared April 2 of every year as Pedro Calungsod Day in his native town of Ginatilan in Cebu, where a thanksgiving mass, followed by a solemn procession, is celebratted on the date annually. Ever since, the Cebuanos have looked up to him as a powerful intercessor.

Cardinal Vidal said, "Young people today can draw encouragement and strength from the example of Blessed Pedro whose love of Jesus inspired him to devote his teenage years teaching the faith as a boy catechist. He is a model and patron of the youth." (With reports from Mars Mosqueda and Leslie Ann G. Aquino)