ANTIPOLO City, Oct. 22, 2012—Filipino migrants worldwide joined the entire Catholic church in jubilation over the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod of Cebu which was held in solemn ceremonies at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, October 21.
St. Pedro Calungsod is the second Filipino to be declared a saint under the rules of the Roman Catholic Church, the first being St. Lorenzo Ruiz, a native of Binondo, Manila.
Regional director of Migrante Middle East (ME) John Leonard Monterona, in a statement sent to CBCPNews said, the canonization of Pedro Calungsod and naming him as patron saint of OFWs is an inspiration for millions of migrants all over the world.
“The recent declaration of the Sainthood of Pedro Calungsod is another milestone for the Filipino Catholics and the Church. Sumasang-ayon kami sa pagbibigay pugay sa kanya bilang Patron Saint of OFWs, katulad din ni St. Lorenzo Ruiz. Both saints inspire us, OFWs [overseas Filipino workers], to follow what they lived for, their good deeds, and both will serve as our inspiration,” he said.
Monterona also said that to honor the saint, they will “work for the formation of a group which we will call as ‘OFW Missionaries’ that would live up the ideals, deeds, and teachings of Saints Peter Calungsod and Lorenzo Ruiz.” He also said that this group will advance the rights and welfare of the Filipino itinerants and migrants, as the Social Teachings of the Church mandate. [Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews]
