We knew little of his personal life but Blessed Pedro was probably born in Ginalitan, Cebu. But it was established that as a sacristan, he joined the Spanish missionaries to Marianas, Guam (previously called Ladrones) in 1668. He was a companion to another blessed, Padre Diego Luis de San Vitores, the head of the mission.
The life of missionaries especially at that time is hard. They were sailing for many days and even months to get to the mission areas and most of the time, they were devastated by typhoons. Besides, the provisions for the mission are not coming regularly. And in the mission, they had to cross thick forests and steep cliffs. That was the life of Blessed Pedro who was just 17 years old. But they were blessed with many conversions. However, Choco, a Chinese merchant, envious of the prestige the missionaries were gaining among the natives, started spreading false rumors that the missionaries are actually spreading poison through the holy water poured during baptism and through the Holy Communion. As an influential person to the village and since a lot of sickly infants died, many believed in him and apostatized (abandoned the faith). It was the beginning of Calvary for the missionaries.
It was April 2, 1972, an Easter Sunday when Blessed Padre Diego came to visit Tumon, a village in Guam. They visited the natives and catechized them. They also visited a baby girl who was just recently born and asked permission to baptize the infant. But Hurao, the baby's father, influenced by the false accusations among the missionaries, refused. When he visited a friend to vent out his anger, his wife consented to have the baby baptized. Meanwhile, Hurao's friend advised him to kill the missionaries. Initially he refused due to the kindness they show among the people, but when his friend called him a coward, he agreed.
Hurao was very furious when he learned of the baptism. He chased the missionaries and hurled a spear to Pedro. Pedro could have escaped if not for his decision not to leave Padre Diego who was old and weak. Pedro got hit by a spear on his chest and in a distance, Padre Diego had a chance of giving him the blessing and absolution. Hurao then finishes him through a fatal blow on his head. After that, the natives who were with Hurao also killed Padre Diego. They pounded the crucifix Padre Diego was holding and tying their bodies on large stones, they threw them on the ocean. These events were recorded on the diary of one of their companions in the mission.
Padre Diego de San Vitores was beatified on October 6, 1985 while Pedro Calungsod on March 5, 2000 both by Pope John Paul II at Vatican City.
This is what Pope John Paul II says about Pedro during his beatification: "From his childhood, Pedro Calungsod declared himself unwaveringly for Christ and responded generously to his call. Young people today can draw encouragement and strength from the example of Pedro, whose love of Jesus inspired him to devote his teenage years to teaching the faith as a lay catechist. Leaving family and friends behind, Pedro willingly accepted the challenge put to him by Fr Diego de San Vitores to join him on the Mission to the Chamorros. In a spirit of faith, marked by strong Eucharistic and Marian devotion, Pedro undertook the demanding work asked of him and bravely faced the many obstacles and difficulties he met. In the face of imminent danger, Pedro would not forsake Fr Diego, but as a "good soldier of Christ" preferred to die at the missionary's side."
Blessed Pedro Calungsod is invoked as patron of the Filipino Youth, Filipino missionaries, altar servers, catechists, of Guam and Cebu and of Overseas Filipino workers. His shrine, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Pedro Calungsod is located in Cebu City.
The life of Pedro Calungsod invites us young people that we are never too young to serve God. Blessed Pedro became blessed and soon to be venerated as a saint became such because he faithfully served God as a sacristan. We may not attain a martyr's crown like him but we can make our lives a pleasing gift to God by doing our own work according to our conscience and as a fruit of love.
Most of us are serving to God as a choir member, as an altar server or as a youth leader. Or a regular church-goer, a community leader or a young professional. Who knows, maybe through these roles, we can be saints? We may not be as popular as the venerated saints of the Church but as long as we do our duties with devotion, we become saints in God's eyes.
As our theme for the Year of the Youth says: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
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