San Pedro Calungsod draws followers by his example

The canonization of Pedro Calungsod last Oct. 21, was a special day for all the Filipinos, especially the youth, who welcomed the new Filipino saint.

Along with six other saints from other countries canonized in Rome on that day, devotees of Saint Pedro Calungsod looked back at the miracles the young saint has bestowed to them.

“I started to be a devotee of Saint Pedro Calungsod when he was still a beato. I believe that my faith in him cured my illness. He also cured my brother who had a nervous breakdown. Truly, he is miraculous,” Divina Cantalejo, a Calungsod devotee, shared during the Oct. 27 episode of “Pagtuki”, the official radio program of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI).

Cantalejo said the canonization of the new saint has paved the way for a mass-based support of their barangay, Campo 8 in Toledo City.

“The youth should anchor themselves on the values and principles of Saint Pedro Calungsod. Youths should devote their time serving the community and the church as what Calungsod did,” she said, adding that community services will help the youth not to be hooked on vices.

Mario Joel Baylosis, a devotee and Parish Pastoral Council member at the Pedro Calungsod Shrine in Archbishop’s Palace, said the canonization of Calungsod opened doors to thousands of devotees coming into their parish.

“The growing number of devotees from the different places is one of the miracles that he showed us. It is a miracle to see people who have strong faith in him,” he said.

Baylosis said Calungsod serves as role model to Filipinos, especially to young Pinoys. “Let us emulate the values and goodness Calungsod had. He has sacrificed everything for his Christian faith,” he said.

Saint Pedro Calungsod is a young Roman Catholic Filipino saint, a sacristan, and missionary catechist who suffered religious persecution and martyrdom in Guam for a missionary work in 1672. He was killed at the age of 17.

Calungsod is the second Filipino declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church after Saint Lorenzo Ruiz.

“Pagtuki” is aired over dyLA every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The program tackles issues affecting the Cebuano community. For more information about Pagtuki, contact Fatrick Tabada at 4187234 local 542 or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com.ph/rafi.org.ph.