MEMORIAL: APRIL 28
St. Peter Chanel was born in the 19th century in France. After becoming a priest, St. Peter joined the Society of Mary (Marists) with the hopes of becoming a missionary. After 5 years of teaching seminary, St. Peter was sent to New Hebrides, a chain of islands in the Pacific. Upon his arrival, we went to the island of Futuna where the local tribe had just left behind their tradition of cannibalism.
Over three years, St. Peter saw great success in introducing the natives to Jesus, however, the King saw St. Peter as a threat to his power. Whenever the son of the King asked to be baptized, the King was enraged and ordered St. Peter’s death. He was martyred by clubbing, but it is said that in only 5 months after his death, the whole island was converted.
