Today we memorialize St. Peter Chanel. He was the first martyr of Oceania and its patron saint. He braved the worst of human nature to spread the good news of Christ, we are encouraged to be as brave and filled with spirit as he was for Christ’s greater glory. He was killed by the chief in the region when the chief’s son asked to be baptized. Two years later the entire Futuna Island converted to Catholicism and remains so to this day.

St. Peter Chanel, pray for us!