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.

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 5: 27-33  We are witnesses of these words and so is the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 33:2, 9, 17-20. R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Alleluia alleluia! You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me; happy are those who have not seen me, but still believe! Alleluia.

John 3:31-36. The Father loves the Son, and gave all things into his hands.

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/