St. Peter Chanel - April 28th
From the time he was seven, this French boy took care of his father’s sheep. Through poor, he was intelligent and loved his Faith, too. One day, a good parish priest met him and thought so much of Peter that he asked his parents if he could educate him. In this priest’s little school and later in the seminary, Peter won the admiration of everyone. While he was a parish priest, he was so kind to the sick of his parish that many people decided to change their bad lives and return to God.
Because he had a great desire to be a missionary, St. Peter became a Marist. He hoped he would be sent to the pagans far away, and after a few years, his wish came true. He and a group of his brother missionaries were sent to the islands of the South Pacific. Father Peter and one brother were assigned to the island of Futuna. There the people willingly listened to Father Peter preach. “This man loves us,” one of the tribesmen said. “And he does what he teaches.”
However, the chief of this tribe became jealous of St. Peter’s success. When his own son was baptized, he was furious and sent a band of his men to kill the missionary. All Father Peter said as he lay dying was, “It is well with me.” Within a short time after his martyrdom, the whole island became Christian.
Jealousy leads people to do many evil things. If we see others doing good, let us thank God for it and try to imitate their good example.
From the time he was seven, this French boy took care of his father’s sheep. Through poor, he was intelligent and loved his Faith, too. One day, a good parish priest met him and thought so much of Peter that he asked his parents if he could educate him. In this priest’s little school and later in the seminary, Peter won the admiration of everyone. While he was a parish priest, he was so kind to the sick of his parish that many people decided to change their bad lives and return to God.
Because he had a great desire to be a missionary, St. Peter became a Marist. He hoped he would be sent to the pagans far away, and after a few years, his wish came true. He and a group of his brother missionaries were sent to the islands of the South Pacific. Father Peter and one brother were assigned to the island of Futuna. There the people willingly listened to Father Peter preach. “This man loves us,” one of the tribesmen said. “And he does what he teaches.”
However, the chief of this tribe became jealous of St. Peter’s success. When his own son was baptized, he was furious and sent a band of his men to kill the missionary. All Father Peter said as he lay dying was, “It is well with me.” Within a short time after his martyrdom, the whole island became Christian.
Jealousy leads people to do many evil things. If we see others doing good, let us thank God for it and try to imitate their good example.
