St. Lorenzo Ruiz
First Filipino Saint, Martyr for the Faith in Japan
📖 Life of St. Lorenzo Ruiz
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was born around the year 1600 in Binondo, Manila in the Philippines. He was the son of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother. Both were Christians and took care to raise Lorenzo as a Catholic. He served happily in his parish church as an altar boy and calligrapher.
As a young man, Lorenzo joined the Dominican Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary. Later, he married a woman named Rosario. The happy couple had three children, two sons and one daughter. By all accounts, the family was ordinary and happy.
In 1636, Lorenzo was accused of murder. Allegedly he killed a Spaniard. However, to protect his safety at the time, he fled home and found refuge on board a ship with three Dominican priests and a leper. There are no details of this alleged crime other than a journal entry by two Dominican priests, that he joined their group to escape possible arrest. The ship departed the Philippines on June 10, 1636, bound for Okinawa.
A shock awaited the holy passengers when they arrived in Japan. At the time of their arrival, the rulers of Japan, the Tokugawa Shogunate, were persecuting Christians. Prior to this persecution, the Christian population of Japan was thought to number 50,000 souls.
Now Lorenzo was arrested by Japanese officials for the crime of being a Christian and ordered to recant his faith. When he refused he was imprisoned for two years. On September 27, 1637, Lorenzo and his companions were taken to Nagasaki to be tortured and killed if they would not recant their faith.
🌟 Legacy of St. Lorenzo Ruiz: Martyr for the Faith
The Ultimate Test of Faith
Lorenzo and his companions were tortured by water, which was forced into their mouths and down their throats and out their noses and ears. Despite the painful torture, the men refused to do so. Following this, Lorenzo was hanged upside down, with a rope around his ankles. This method of torture was known as tsurushi, or "gallows and pit." The torture forces a person to be hanged upside down with a gash cut in their forehead to prevent too much blood from gathering in the head. The gash also causes the victim to bleed to death over an extended period of time.
Unwavering Courage
Those who have survived the torture have said it is unbearable. One hand is left free so the victim can offer an agreed symbol that will represent their desire to recant their faith. Those few who recant are spared and allowed to live. But few people ever recanted, choosing instead to die for their faith. Lorenzo refused to recant. According to the record of his death, his last words were, "I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for God. Had I a thousand lives, all these to Him I shall offer. Do with me as you please."
First Filipino Saint
Lorenzo was beatified by Pope John Paul II on February 18, 1981. The beatification ceremony was held in the Philippines making it the first beatification ceremony ever held outside the Vatican. A miracle attributed to his intercession occurred in 1983. A two-year-old girl, Alegria Policarpio, suffering from hydrocephaly, a condition she had since birth, was miraculously cured. His canonization took place at the Vatican on October 18, 1987.
Patron of the Philippines
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is the patron saint of Filipino youth, the Philippines, people working overseas, and altar servers. His feast day is September 28. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of faith and the courage to stand firm in one's beliefs, even in the face of extreme persecution and death. He is a source of pride and inspiration for the Filipino people and all who face persecution for their faith.
📅 Feast Day
Feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, First Filipino Saint
Liturgical Celebration
The feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz is celebrated on September 28th, commemorating the day after his martyrdom in 1637. St. Lorenzo Ruiz was beatified by Pope John Paul II on February 18, 1981, and canonized on October 18, 1987. His canonization was a historic moment for the Philippines, as he became the first Filipino saint in the Catholic Church.
Traditions and Customs
On this day, the Church honors St. Lorenzo Ruiz's remarkable courage and his role as the first Filipino saint. His feast day serves as a reminder of the importance of standing firm in one's faith, even in the face of persecution. Many Filipino communities around the world celebrate this day with special Masses, processions, and cultural events that highlight the rich heritage of Filipino Catholicism.
Prayer and Devotion
The feast day is an excellent time to pray to St. Lorenzo Ruiz for his intercession in matters of courage, faith, and perseverance. Many people also pray for the Philippines, Filipino communities around the world, and those who face persecution for their faith. His example encourages us to remain steadfast in our beliefs and to trust in God's providence, even in the most difficult circumstances.
🛡️ Patronage
Primary Patronages
- • Filipino Youth: Patron of young Filipinos
- • Philippines: Patron of his native country
- • Overseas Workers: Helper for those working abroad
- • Altar Servers: Patron of those who serve at Mass
- • Martyrs: Model of courage in persecution
- • Filipino Communities: Patron of Filipino diaspora
Special Intentions
- • Courage: Helper in facing persecution
- • Faith: Patron of steadfast belief
- • Perseverance: Helper in difficult times
- • Cultural Identity: Patron of preserving heritage
- • Family Separation: Helper for separated families
- • Miracles: Patron of miraculous interventions
🙏 Prayers
Prayer to St. Lorenzo Ruiz
"O glorious St. Lorenzo Ruiz, first Filipino saint and martyr, who with unwavering courage chose death rather than deny your faith in Christ, help us to remain steadfast in our beliefs even in the face of persecution and difficulty. Through your intercession, may we have the strength to stand firm in our faith and to trust in God's providence. Help us to be witnesses of Christ's love in our daily lives. Amen."
Short Prayer
"St. Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us!"