VATICAN City, Oct 21, 2012—The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI praised the “heroic courage” and “tenacious profession of faith” of Filipinos’ second saint, Pedro Calungsod, during the homily at today’s mass.
In his homily for the canonization ceremony, the Holy Father recalled the life of Saint Pedro in the Marianas mission.
“His desire to win souls for Christ…made him resolute in accepting martyrdom,” he said.
Key in Pope Benedict’s exhortation on the young martyr is the special circumstances of his death – that he could have decided to leave Fr. Diego de San Vitores, but decided to stay on.
Making a direct appeal to modern-day Filipinos, he said, “May the example and courageous witness of Pedro Calungsod inspire the dear people of the Philippines to announce the Kingdom bravely and to win souls for God!”
The Holy Father also praised Pedro and the six other new saints, for their “… heroic courage, [spending] their lives in total consecration to the Lord and generous service of their brethren.”
Hopefully, the example of Saint Pedro, “will inspire the dear people of the Philippines to announce the Kingdom bravely and win souls for God,” added the Holy Father.
Besides being a day of celebration for the Church because of the canonization, October 21 is also celebrated this year as World Mission Sunday. [Aaron James R. Veloso/CBCPNews)
