Blessed Pedro Calungsod as a Youth CONTEXT:

Transcription

1 Blessed Pedro Calungsod as a Youth 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 - John Paul II CONTEXT: Ask the students: - Based on what you have observed and/or experienced, how will you describe the youth of today? - What characteristics do they possess? After gathering their answers, point-out the following results of a survey regarding the youth. - The youth of today are basically happy, jolly, fun-filled, energetic, and enthusiastic. - They are concerned with becoming better people, who are characteristically disciplined, patient, industrious, friendly and vice-free. - They are early risers. - Professional careers attract the youth of NCR and the upper middle class, gravitating towards managerial, executive positions. - Teaching is a popular aspiration among many. o Males are attracted to careers in the military service, engineering, and medical sciences. o Females opt for the teaching and nursing professions. - Their vocational motivation and choice of profession are o to develop interest / capabilities / knowledge o to help others and to contribute to the country - They take pride in certain Filipino qualities. - They are technologically driven. - They show concern of issues such as the environment - They are ashamed of politics and corruption in government, the social climate, tardiness, the mañana habit, crab mentality, etc.

2 - They hang out with their barkadas with whom they develop rituals, manner and ways of conducting or even talking among themselves. - They often confide to their friends or peers whom they trust with their deepest secrets. - They like school not only for the academic merits but also for the socialization that it provides. School allows them to be with people of their age and to listen to mentors who can help process their thoughts and feelings. - They involve themselves in the different activities of their Church communities, joining youth organizations/ministries and participating in the different outreach programs. Ask the students if these results ring a bell on them. Then zero-in with the following statement: Just like you, there was also a person who did experience what you have experienced; he was active like you and willing to know the world. But what preoccupied him the most was the activity of sharing his new found faith to his fellow youth. EXPOSITION: - Have you ever heard of a youth whose name is Pedro? Pedro Calungsod to be exact. - Do you know who he is? For you to get to know him, let us divide the class into 5 expert groups. Group the students into five (this will be known as their expert group). Each group will be given a literature to study which when put together will complete the information regarding who Blessed Pedro Calungsod. Expert group 1 PEDRO CALUNGSOD was young native of the Visayas Region in the Philippines. Little is known about his life. Based on accounts, Pedro was taught as a lay catechist in a Jesuit minor seminary in Loboc, Bohol. For young recruits like him, the training consisted of learning the Catechism, Spanish, and Latin. They learned the catechism by heart (they learned it by singing it through!). They mastered a repertoire of religious hymns and learned the rubrics of sacred rites thoroughly. They knew their tasks well. They were loyal and obedient to the missionary Fathers. They were usually "the brightest and best" among the young men, the most devout, the most faithful. And also, blessed with good health. The Jesuits, on recruiting them, had them travel with them to Mexico first, then to the mission territory; they were volunteers (or at least regarded as such). It is good to note this: Pedro Calungsod was, by fact and in intent, an authentic

3 missionary. They would be later sent with the priests to the countryside to perform daily religious functions as altar boys or catechists. Some of them were even sent to mission centers overseas to accompany the Jesuits in their arduous task of proclaiming the Good News and establishing the Catholic faith in foreign lands. And that was the case of Pedro Calungsod. On June 18, 1668, the zealous Jesuit superior Padre Diego Luís de San Vitores, answering a "special call," began a new mission composed of 17 young laymen and priests to the Ladrones islands. Pedro was one of the boy catechists who went with them in the Western Pacific to evangelize the native chamorros. Expert group 2 Life in the Ladrones was hard. The provisions for the mission like food and other needs did not arrive regularly; the jungles were too thick to cross; the cliffs were very stiff to climb; and the islands were frequently visited by devastating typhoons. Despite all these, the missionaries persevered, and the mission was blessed with many conversions. The missionaries reached out to the backward poblaciones (towns) and baptized over 13,000 natives. Capillas (chapels) began to rise at various sites as Catholic instruction became extensive. A school and church were even built and dedicated to St. Ignatius of Loyola in the city of Agadna in the northeast. Subsequently, the islands were renamed Marianas by the missionaries in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of the Queen-Regent of Spain, María Ana, who was the benefactress of that mission. The hospitality of the natives however soon turned to hostility as the missionaries started to change the traditional practices of the chamorros, which were incompatible with Christianity. The missionaries objected their ancestral worship. The chamorros dug up the skulls of their dead relatives and kept them as miraculous talismans. These were enshrined in special houses guarded by native shamans called macanjas. The chamorros prayed to their ancestral spirits and asked them for good luck, good harvest and victory in battle. They also objected to the practice of young men called urritaos of consorting with young unmarried women in public houses without the benefit of the sacrament of matrimony because they considered this as a form of institutionalized prostitution. They also displeased the upper caste chamorros called matuas who demanded that the blessings of Christianity be limited to members of this group. The inferior castes should not be given the privilege of becoming Christians. An influential Chinese named Choco who earlier came from a sunken wreck became

4 envious of the prestige that the missionaries were gaining among the chamorros. He started to spread the talk that the baptismal water of the missionaries was poisonous. And since some sickly chamorro infants who were baptized died by coincidence, many believed the calumniator and eventually apostatized. The evil campaign of Choco was readily supported by the matuas, macanjas and the urritaos who, along with the apostates, began persecuting the missionaries. Expert group 3 The most unforgettable assault happened on 2 April 1672, the Saturday just before the Passion Sunday of that year. At around seven o clock in the morning, Pedro by then, about 17 years old and the superior of the mission, Padre Diego, came to the village of Tomhom, in the Island of Guam. There, they were told that a baby girl was recently born in the village, so they went to ask the child s father, named Matapang, to bring out the infant for baptism. Matapang was a Christian and a friend of the missionaries, but having apostatized, he angrily refused to have his baby baptized. To give Matapang some time to cool down, Padre Diego and Pedro gathered the children and some adults of the village at the nearby shore and started chanting with them the truths of the Catholic Faith. They invited Matapang to join them, but the apostate shouted back that he was angry with God and was already fed up with Christian teachings. Determined to kill the missionaries, Matapang went away and tried to enlist in his cause another villager, named Hirao, who was not a Christian. At first, Hirao refused, mindful of the kindness of the missionaries towards the natives; but when Matapang branded him a coward, he got insulted and so, he consented. Meanwhile, during that brief absence of Matapang from his hut, Padre Diego and Pedro took the chance of baptizing the infant, with the consent of the Christian mother. When Matapang learned of the baptism, he became even more furious. He violently hurled spears first at Pedro. The lad skirted the darting spears with remarkable dexterity. The witnesses said that Pedro had all the chances to escape because he was very agile, but he did not want to leave Padre Diego alone. Those who knew Pedro personally believed that he would have defeated his fierce aggressors and would have freed both himself and Padre Diego if only he had some weapons because he was a very valiant boy; but Padre Diego never allowed his companions to carry arms. Finally, Pedro got hit by a spear at the chest and he fell to the ground. Hirao immediately charged towards him and finished him off with a blow of a cutlass on the head. Padre Diego gave Pedro the sacramental absolution. After that, the assassins also killed Padre Diego.

5 Matapang took the crucifix of Padre Diego and pounded it with a stone while blaspheming God. Then, both assassins denuded the bodies of Pedro and Padre Diego, dragged them to the edge of the shore, tied large stones to their feet, brought them to sea and threw them into the deep. The remains of the martyrs were never to be found. When the companion missionaries of Pedro learned of his death, they exclaimed, Fortunate youth! How well rewarded his four years of persevering service to God in the difficult mission are: he has become the precursor of our superior, Padre Diego, in Heaven! They remembered Pedro to be a boy with very good disposition, a virtuous catechist, a faithful assistant, and a good Catholic whose perseverance in the faith even to the point of martyrdom proved him to be a good soldier of Christ (cf. 2 Tim 2:3). Expert group 4 Padre Diego Luís de San Vitores was beatified in It was his beatification that brought the memory of Pedro Calungsod to our day. On 5 March 2000, Pope John Paul II beatified Pedro Calungsod at Saint Peter's Square in Rome. Here s an excerpt from the homily of Blessed Pope John Paul II during the Beatification Rites of Blessed Pedro Calungsod and 43 others: "If anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven" (Mt 10: 32). 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. Leaving family and friends behind, Pedro willingly accepted the challenge put to him by Fr Diego de San Vitores to join him on the mission to the chamorros. In a spirit of faith, marked by strong Eucharistic and Marian devotion, Pedro undertook the demanding work asked of him and bravely faced the many obstacles and difficulties he met. In the face of imminent danger, Pedro would not forsake Fr. Diego, but as a "good soldier of Christ" preferred to die at the missionary's side. Today Bl. Pedro Calungsod intercedes for the young, in particular those of his native Philippines, and he challenges them. Young friends, do not hesitate to follow the example of Pedro, who "pleased God and was loved by him" (Wis 4: 10) and who, having come to perfection in so short a time, lived a full life (cf. ibid., v. 13).

6 Expert group 5 On Dec. 19, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI received in audience Angelo Cardinal Amato, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorized the promulgation of the Decree concerning a miracle of Calungsod. The Pope has finally approved the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod and six others for sainthood. This act fulfills the requirements for canonization. On 18 February 2012, Pope Benedict XVI declared that Calungsod will be canonized on 21 October The Canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod is the solemn act by which the Pope, with definitive sentence, inscribes in the catalogue (canon) of saints Blessed Pedro. By this act, the Pope declares that Blessed Pedro now reigns in eternal glory and decrees that the Universal Church show him the honor due to a saint. Thus, Blessed Pedro will henceforth be addressed as Saint Pedro Calungsod or San Pedro Calungsod. The solemn canonization is an infallible and irrevocable decision of the Pope. By canonizing some of the faithful, that is, by solemnly proclaiming that they practiced heroic virtue and lived in fidelity to God s grace, the Church recognizes the power of the Spirit of holiness within her and sustains the hope of believers by proposing the saints to them as models and intercessors. The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church s history. Indeed, holiness is the hidden source and infallible measure of her apostolic activity and missionary zeal. Catechism of the Catholic Church 828. Sources: Leyson, Ildebrando Jesus Aliño, A Catechetical Primer on the Life, Martyrdom and Glorification of Blessed Pedro Calungsod Arevalo, Catalino G S.J. A Young Filipino Martyr:Pedro Calungsod After they have studied the information ask the students to count again so that they would know to what home group they will go. In their home group, each one will discuss the information where they have had expertise with. After their sharing of information the teacher can check the class by asking the following questions which will lead him/her into deepening the lesson on why Blsd. Pedro Calungsod was chosen and called upon by God to testify and share his faith to others.

7 Guide questions: 1. Who is Pedro Calungsod? 2. What were the characteristics possessed by the young men like Pedro? 3. In what sense is he an authentic missionary? 4. Describe their life in Landores. 5. What actions of the missionaries led to their being treated as enemies by the natives? 6. Describe what happened in April 2, What did the other missionaries exclaimed when they have learned of Pedro s death? 8. In what sense did Pedro declare his unwavering faith in Christ? 9. What did Bld. Pope John Paul II say about Pedro during the beatification rite? 10. What is canonization? 11. What happens to the person when declared a Saint? 12. When will he be canonized? Christian Message/Points to highlight Like Blessed Pedro Calungsod you are also invited to participate in the Mission of the Church. This is so because As baptized persons we share in the three-fold mission of Christ as Priest, Prophet and King. The obligation of spreading the faith is imposed on every disciple of Christ, according to his state. (L.G. art. 17) We are missionaries above all because of what we are as a Church. (R.Mi. 23) The pilgrim Church is missionary by her very nature, since it is from the mission of the Son and the mission of the Holy Spirit that she draws her origin, in accordance with the decree of God the Father. (A.G. 2) All are called to mission all without exception- are called to evangelize. (PCP II 402) The whole Christian people in the Church and in the whole world have to carry the MISSION. (L.G. #51, AA #2) Blessed John Paul II in his address to the participants of World Youth day 11 in 1995 he said; I am appealing especially to you, young people, to look to the epochal threshold of the Year 2000, remembering that "the future of the world and the Church belongs to the younger generation, to those who, born in this century, will reach maturity in the next, the first century of the new millennium... If they succeed in following the road which he points out to them, they will have the joy of making their own contribution to his presence in the next century" (Tertio millennio adveniente, n. 58).

8 Like Pedro Calungsod we should as JP II also said in that same address, It is our duty then to live in history, side by side with our peers, sharing their worries and hopes, because the Christian is and must be fully a man of his time. He cannot escape into another dimension, ignoring the tragedies of his era, closing his eyes and heart to the anguish that pervades life Be prophets of life, love and joy! In his (JP II) homily during the 10 th WYD here in Manila he challenged the participants by saying; Dear young people: the Tenth World Youth Day is coming to a close. It is time to commit your selves more fully to following Christ in the fulfillment of his saving mission. Every form of the apostolate and every kind of service must have its source in Christ. When he says: "As the Father sent me, so am I sending you" (Jn. 20: 21), he also makes you capable of this mission. In a sense he shares himself with you. We must leave Luneta Park with a more confident awareness of this extraordinary fact! Like Pedro Calungsod, we should Be a sign of hope! Like the "great light"... May your light spread out from Manila to the farthest corners of the world. Like the "great light" which shone in the night at Bethlehem. Be sons and daughters of the Light! (JP II s message to the youth, 10 th WYD, Manila, Pholippines) The challenge pose to us by Bl. Pedro then is, with strong or firm faith (1Cor. 16:13) let us tell the world of His love. Integration: Ask the students to write in a ½ bond paper their answer to this question: As a Christian, Catholic, Filipino Youth what simple concrete actions can you do to others, and to your community as a way of preparing for the canonization of Bld Pedro and as a response to the challenge of Bld JP II to become sons and daughters of the light? (While the students are writing their answer to the reflection-question prepare a make-shift altar with cross, candles, and small tray where they will place their reflection as a spiritual offering.)

9 As a class pray the Prayer to Blessed Pedro Calungsod Almighty God, by whose gift Blessed Pedro, the martyr, witnessed to the Gospel even to the shedding of his blood: grant, by his example and intercession, that we too may live for you, boldly and steadfastly confessing your name through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. After the prayer, sing the Song Let us tell the world of His love. While singing the students will offer to the altar the reflection that they have written. Prepared by: Wilberto A. Lumaban Institute of Religion, University of Sto. Tomas