St Peter Chanel patron of Aotearoa & Oceania

St Peter Chanel was murdered on Futuna on 28 April 1841. He was beatified in 1889 and canonised in 1954. He is our patron saint. We will celebrate his Feast day this year on Monday 29 April.

Born at Cuet near Billey in France in 1803, Peter joined the newly formed Society of Mary (Marists) in 1831. He was eager to become a missionary and was sent to the vicariate of Western Oceania along with Fr Colin, eight priests and brothers and Bishop Jean Francis Pompallier.

Fr Justin Taylor SM in the Marist Messenger gives a full story of Peter's life and death. HERE

Readings of the Day

Acts 14: 5-18  We have come with Good News to make you turn from these vain things to the living God.

Psalm 113B:1-4, 15-16. R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

Alleluia alleluia! The Holy Spirit will tach you all things and remind you of all I have said to you. Alleluia!

John 14:21-26.  The Holy Spirit whom the Father will send will teach you all things.

Picture shows the Saint Peter Chanel Basilica, Futuna, where the saint's remains are encased in a reliquary. The monument of Musumusu his killer, in the foreground is where he humbly asked to be buried under the doorstep of St Peter's shrine for people to walk on. 

Source https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz/2017/03/30/saints-names-matter-st-peter-chanel/