A SAINT may come in different shapes, forms and religion.
“I would like to hope that after his canonization, Saint Pedro Calungsod would become not only an exemplary role model for our youth but also the patron saint of all Filipino migrants,” Philippine Vice President Binay said before leaving for Europe to represent President Benigno Aquino III.
On October 21, Pope Benedict XVI will canonize Pedro Calungsod in a solemn concelebrated mass at the Vatican City. Calungsod will be the second Filipino to be declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church in Rome, after San Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila in 1987.
Binay will bring with him the official image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod. The two-feet tall image shows Calungsod holding a huge palm leaf and the Book of Christian Doctrines.
Calungsod’s heroism is “a great inspiration to millions of our migrant Filipinos who face daily challenges in their places of work abroad,” said Binay who is also the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) Concerns.
The sacred celebration, which will be attended by at least 5,000 Pinoy pilgrims, will also honor six other blessed persons, including Americans: Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha and Blessed Mother Marianne Cope.
Beatified by Pope John Paul II in March 2000, Pedro Calungsod was a 17 year-old catechist who accompanied Blessed Diego Luis de San vitores in Guam, where they were killed on April 2, 1672.
The elevation of the 17th century martyr to sainthood became apparent after the Vatican acknowledged the “miraculous” healing of a woman in 2003.
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) earlier revealed the details about a woman who was comatose caused by lack of oxygen in the brain, but miraculously regained consciousness through the intercession of Blessed Pedro Calungsod.
“The doctor himself who knew the situation that the patient would die anytime prayed before Pedro Calungsod to save the life of his patient,” Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson said in the CBCP report. The incident was described as a supernatural healing by the Vatican.
To coincide with the October 21 canonization rites, President Aquino earlier issued Proclamation No. 481, to honor the life and martyrdom of the soon-to-be San Pedro de Cebu. Aquino said that Calungsod’s journey “shall instill national pride in the hearts of Filipinos worldwide.”
“The said event shall encourage Filipinos, particularly the youth, to get involved in public and civic affairs. The life and martyrdom of Blessed Calungsod shall serve as an inspiration to Filipinos, particularly the youth, to live a life anchored on values and principles,” the proclamation read.
The process of declaring someone a saint (including steps of being identified as a Venerable, a Blessed and A Saint) is itself a meticulous, long-drawn process and not widely understood process.
For beatification and canonization, two miracles are required. One miracle must have occurred after the candidate’s death and one after (and if) the candidate is beatified.
A thorough investigation of each miracle is conducted at the diocese level and is separate from the previous investigation regarding the candidate’s holiness.
Blessed Pedro Calungsod’s enduring journey to sainthood leaves us with a great example to emulate. We are all called to live like saints, not to make a mark in the world through suffering or death-but to appeal similar honest lives.
Saintly people, much like a heroes, would never account hardships they were put through to achieve the church’s greatest distinction or any form of recognition. They live life the best way they can, to simply make a difference.
(AJPress)