Saint of the Day: St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions | September 28

By SIDTP SoCom

Published on September 28, 2024

St. Lorenzo Ruiz, a Filipino layman, is remembered not only for his own martyrdom but also for his companions who suffered alongside him. He was born in 1594 in Manila, Philippines, and is venerated as the first Filipino saint by the Catholic Church.

Lorenzo Ruiz was a devout Christian and a member of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary. His life changed dramatically when he was falsely accused of a crime and faced potential execution in the Philippines. To escape this fate, Lorenzo fled with a group of Dominican missionaries who were heading to Japan, where Christians were being persecuted.

Along with Lorenzo, the group included several other Christians, most of whom were missionaries:

1. Fr. Domingo Ibáñez (a Dominican priest) – He was one of the leaders of the mission and had dedicated his life to serving the Christian community in Japan.
2. Fr. Miguel de los Santos (a Dominican priest) – Another member of the missionary team, committed to spreading the faith despite the dangers.
3. Fr. Mateo de la Natividad (a Dominican priest) – He was part of the missionary group working to support persecuted Christians in Japan.
4. Antonio Gonzalez – A Spanish layman and a companion of Lorenzo in the mission.
5. Pedro Calungsod – A young Visayan lay catechist, who also was a part of the missionary team.

Upon arriving in Japan, Lorenzo and his companions were arrested in 1636 during a period of intense persecution under the Tokugawa shogunate. The group was subjected to severe torture because of their Christian beliefs. Despite the brutal conditions, they refused to renounce their faith, showing immense courage and dedication.

Lorenzo and his companions were executed in Nagasaki on September 29, 1637. Their martyrdom was a powerful witness to their unshakeable faith in Christ. Lorenzo Ruiz was canonized as a saint by Pope John Paul II in 1987, along with his companions, who are also honored as martyrs.

Their feast day is celebrated on September 28th. St. Lorenzo Ruiz and his companions are revered not only as martyrs but also as symbols of faith and perseverance in the face of persecution.

 

Sources:
1. Abello, Fr. Jose Maria C. The Life of St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions. New Day Publishers, 2002.
2. Farmer, David Hugh, ed. The Oxford Dictionary of Saints. Oxford University Press, 2003.