Our saint for today, Peter Claver was a Spanish Jesuit who lived in the early 17th century.
Desiring to be a missionary in the New World he was sent to Cartagena, Columbia which was a major center for African slave trade. Peter worked in an apostolate to the slaves for forty years. He devoted his energies to the spiritual and physical care of the slaves, bringing them food, medicine and other necessities. He also used interpreters and pictures to educate the slaves about Christianity and to prepare them for baptism. It is said that he baptized more than three hundred thousand by 1615.
When he was not engaged in his ministry to the slaves, Pater counseled and brought the sacraments to prisoners, prepared criminals for death, visited the city's hospitals and conducted annual missions for traders and seamen. In his last years, Peter himself became very ill and was himself treated with neglect. He was in constant pain and was very weak. Two days after greeting a replacement sent from Spain he lapsed into a coma and died on September 8, 1654.
Peter Claver was certainly one chosen by Jesus – as he chose his apostles in the gospel passage today – to bring comfort and healing and the message of hope to the very least of God's people (as they were regarded by the world). He did it with joy in his heart! He did it without judging his brothers and sisters – as we heard about in the first reading today! He did assess and judge the spiritual condition and needs of the times and the people in his care – and he acted accordingly – with respect, kindness and compassion!
May we do the same today! Peter is the patron of Africans throughout the world – especially those who are still mistreated and persecuted!
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