Saint Peter Claver

The Church in the United States remembers Saint Peter Claver today. Saint Peter was born in Spain in 1580. He joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1602. With the help of Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez, Peter heard and followed the call to the missions. Following his ordination in 1616, Saint Peter went to the Mission of Columbia. He worked tirelessly among the African slaves and died in 1654. Saint Peter Claver was canonized in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII. In 1896, Pope Leo declared him the special heavenly patron of all missions to the African peoples (Magnificat,116- 117). As we hear in the opening prayer, "God of mercy and love, you offer all peoples the dignity of sharing in your life. By the example and prayers of Saint Peter Claver, strengthen us to overcome all racial hatreds and to love each other as brothers and sisters" (117). We can make that prayer our own because we need to live in God's love and share that love with others. We need to bring God's love, reconciliation, and peace to people and places where violence and conflict exist. Even the gospel for today is appopriate, Luke 6:39-42. The parable of removing the wooden beam from your own eye before taking the splinter out of your brothers eye. If our world lived that gospel, it would definitely be a better place. We have to keep doing what we are doing in our own communities to create reconciliation and peace. Let us turn to Saint Peter Claver and seek his intercession to help and guide us in our efforts! Have a blessed day!!!