Saints of the Week

Saint Peter Claver

Virtue: Charity

Feast day: 9th September

Peter Claver was a Spanish Jesuit. he was sent to Cartagena in South America, where he

 spent forty years in the great slave market of the West Indies, labouring for the salvation of African Black peoples. He called himself "the slave of the slaves." He was their apostle, father, physician and friend.

When news arrived of a slave ship coming into port, Peter would go on board at once and bring comfort to his dear slaves. He fed and clothed them, and took care of them in their ugly diseases. He baptised forty thousand Black slaves before he went to his reward in 1654.

Peter would say: "We must speak to the Blacks with our hands by giving, before we try to speak to them with our lips." He started charitable societies among the Spanish people to help the slaves.

St Peter Claver is the patron of the missionary work done among the Black people of the United States.

Saint John Chrysostom

Virtue: Honesty

Feast Day: 14th September

People who stand up for what is right and condemn what is evil leave their mark on the world. They also may find themselves with many enemies! John Chrysostom, a great speaker and a courageous man, knew this. He was born in Antioch. His father died when John was a child, so his mother guided his education. As a young man, he studied law and public speaking. 

When John was twenty-one, his mother died, and he joined a group of monks. Four years later, he lived as a hermit in a cave until he became ill. He returned to Antioch and became a priest at the age of thirty-two.

John is best known for his sermons. John became the bishop of Constantinople, but he continued to live the simple life, giving his money to the poor. He made many enemies, especially among the rich and proud. Eventually, John’s enemies falsely accused him and had him exiled twice and cruelly treated. He was a true prophet.

John died praying, “Glory be to God for everything. Amen.”