Blessed Pedro Calungsod Now A Saint, Image in 2nd Highest Place of Honor

Blessed Pedro Calungsod has been canonized as a saint today, October 21 in a ceremony led by Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City. In the canonization rites at St. Peter’s Basilica, the image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod occupies the second highest place of honor.

According to Vice-Postulator for the Canonization Cause of Blessed Pedro Calungsod Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson, Blessed Pedro Calungsod's image occupied the second highest place of honor where it hangs third from the right at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Leyson explained that the center balcony is the highest place of honor. The next ranks then move out from the center. According to sanpedrocalungsod.com, the “ranks” are decided by three factors: first, martyrs rank higher than non-martyrs; bishops rank higher than priests; priests, who rank higher than religious, and laypeople.

Read: San Pedro Calungsod Documentary Airs on ABS-CBN's Sunday's Best (October 21)

Blessed Pedro Calungsod is not the only one who was canonized as saint today.

Watch the video below to know more about the 6 others who were canonized as saints together with the second Filipino Saint, Pedro Calungsod.

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Pedro Calungsod Canonization as Saint Happens October 21, ABS-CBN Airs Documentary

Filipino teenage martyr Pedro Calungsod is set to join the altar of saints when Pope Benedict XVI leads the canonization ceremony at the Vatican on Sunday (Oct 21). ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs will examine the life of the former missionary catechist and his influence on the Filipino faithful in a special documentary “San Pedro Calungsod” later that same evening on ABS-CBN.

With the meager historical information written about him, Blessed Pedro’s life can be written in a few paragraphs. Thus, the documentary will trace the life of a Visayan boy who lived and died spreading and defending his faith, his miracle, and the significance of his rise to sainthood.

Blessed Pedro Calungsod was only 17 years old when he was murdered while serving and evangelizing the Chamorro natives on the island of Guam in 1672. In 2000, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II, and has had one intercessory miracle recognized by the Vatican and declared worthy of belief.

Calungsod joins fellow catechist San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila as the second saint in a country that is predominantly Catholic. As one of only two Catholic nations in Asia, the Philippines celebrates a major milestone and takes great pride in the canonization of Blessed Pedro.

Many groups and chapels dedicated to him have sprouted not only in the Philippines and Guam, but also in the United States and other countries with Filipinos. Calungsod’s patronage also includes the youth and migrant workers for dedicating his young life to God and his missionary work.

Don’t miss “San Pedro Calungsod” this Sunday (Oct 21) on ABS-CBN’s Sunday Best after “Gandang Gabi Vice.” For updates on the documentary, visit www.abs-cbn.com.

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