1654. Pedro Calungsod is born in the Visayas. Very little is known about Calungsod, but based on documents, these Philippine towns claim to be his probable birthplace: Ginatilan and Tuburan in Cebu; Loboc in Bohol, and Leon in Iloilo.
JUNE 16, 1668. A Jesuit mission led by Fr. Diego Luis de San Vitores arrives at the Ladrones Islands, later named Marianas Islands, which are part of the Cebu Diocese. The mission includes some 30 Filipino laymen and the young Visayan Calungsod, who is one of the volunteer helpers and catechists.
Mission helpers like Calungsod are tasked to accompany the priests in their missionary trips and carry their Mass kits and other provisions, often walking barefoot over rough terrain, hills and jungles. Jesuit documents say San Vitores had chosen Calungsod as his “faithful companion” and that apart from assisting him during the journey, Calungsod also helped San Vitores during Mass and with baptisms and other rites.
It is said that by the end of their mission, they were able to baptize over 13,000 natives.
APRIL 2, 1672. Calungsod dies while trying to defend San Vitores when the natives attack them. The missionaries are hunted after the natives learn that San Vitores baptized a chief’s daughter without his consent.
Calungsod dies after a spear pierces his chest and a machete blow splits his skull. His body, like San Vitores’, is then bound with ropes, tied to a heavy rock and thrown into the sea.
MAY 3, 1672. News about the death of San Vitores, Calungsod and other members of the mission reach Manila. A solemn Te Deum is sung at the Manila Cathedral as the grieving Catholic community thanks God for “the grace of martyrdom” given to Calungsod, San Vitores and their companions.
MARCH 5, 2000. Calungsod is beatified at St. Peter’s Square in Rome. In his homily during the beatification, Pope John Paul II calls on the youth to emulate Calungsod: “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,” the Pope says.
APRIL 2, 2001. The cornerstone for a shrine devoted to the “very first Visayan ‘Beato’” is laid in Cebu. Archbishop of Cebu Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal leads other benefactors in laying the cornerstone at the Archbishop’s Residence Compound along D. Jakosalem St. in Cebu City.
DEC. 11, 2002. Blessed Pedro’s shrine is consecrated.
MAR. 26, 2003. The first major miracle attributed to Calungsod occurs. A 49-year-old woman from Cebu almost dies because of insufficient oxygen in the brain, had it not been for Calungsod’s intercession. Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson, lead advocate for Calungsod’s sainthood, says the woman’s rapid recovery can be attributed to Calungsod.
According to Leyson, the woman already slipped into a coma, and that the doctor who knew about the situation said the patient “would die anytime.” It was the doctor who prayed to Blessed Pedro to save the life of the patient. Four hours later, the woman regained consciousness.
JULY 2, 2011. Vatican consultor theologians say that the woman’s “supernatural healing” in March 2003 is due to Blessed Pedro’s intercession.
OCT. 11, 2011. Vatican consultor cardinals, archbishops and bishops unanimously affirm that Calungsod’s miracle was an “authentic major miracle.”
DEC. 19, 2011. Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges that the woman’s healing is due to Blessed Pedro’s intercession.
OCT. 21, 2012. Canonization of Blessed Pedro in Rome.
NOV. 30, 2012. Grand procession for Blessed Pedro at the South Roads Properties in Cebu.
Sources: Fr. C. G. Arevalo S.J.’s booklet, “Pedro Calungsod: Young Visayan Proto Martyr,” cbcpnews.com, pedrocalungsod.org, cebuarchdiocese.org, zenit.org
Compiled by Inquirer Research