St. Peter Claver was born in 1580 in Catalonia, Spain. As a young man, he joined the Jesuits and was inspired by the missionary zeal of St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, a Jesuit brother who encouraged him to serve in the missions. In 1610, Peter was sent to Cartagena, Colombia, a major hub for the slave trade. He was ordained a priest there in 1616.
For the next 40 years, Peter devoted his life to ministering to African slaves who were brought to Cartagena under horrific conditions. Every month, ships carrying thousands of enslaved people would arrive, and Peter would be there to meet them. He provided them with food, water, medicine, and care, and he taught them about Christianity, baptizing those who wished to be baptized.
Peter Claver’s work was not limited to immediate physical care; he also fought for better treatment of slaves, advocating for their dignity and rights. Despite the immense opposition and the dangerous conditions under which he worked, Peter persisted in his mission of compassion and justice until his death in 1654. He was canonized in 1888 and is the patron saint of slaves, African missions, and human rights.
Practical Lessons:
Lesson 1: Helping Those in Difficult Situations: St. Peter Claver’s commitment to aiding enslaved people challenges us to look for ways to support those who are suffering in our own communities. Whether it’s volunteering at a local shelter, donating to organizations that fight human trafficking, or simply offering a listening ear to someone in distress, we can find concrete ways to help others.Lesson 2: Standing Up for Others, Even When It’s Hard: Peter Claver didn’t just help slaves physically; he also advocated for their rights and dignity, despite facing strong opposition. His example encourages us to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, even when it’s uncomfortable or risky. This could mean speaking out against injustice at work, supporting marginalized groups in our community, or educating ourselves about issues of human dignity.
Prayer to St. Peter Claver:
O God, who made St. Peter Claver a model of compassion and courage in his ministry to the enslaved, grant that, through his intercession, we may be inspired to serve those in need with selfless love and to stand up for the dignity of every human being. Help us to follow his example of tireless dedication to justice and mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Other Saints We Remember Today
St. Gorgonius (303), Martyr
image: This file comes from Wellcome Images, a website operated by Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation based in the United Kingdom. See page for author, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
