Saint Peter Chanel – Saint Of The Day – 28 April
Saint Peter Chanel. A priest and a missionary to Oceania. A martyr at 38 years of age. Patron saint of New Zealand.
Peter Chanel (1803–1841), a Catholic priest, missionary and martyr, was a member of the Society of Mary or “Marists” and was sent as a missionary to Oceania in 1837. He was one of the first missionaries to South West Pacific. Four years later, in 1841, he was beaten to death at the instigation of the island chief who got upset because his son had converted to Christianity. Peter was 38 years old.
St Peter Chanel was canonized in 1954 by Pope Pius XII. He is a patron saint of New Zealand and missionaries.
The symbols of St Peter Chanel in visual arts are the crucifix that the saint holds in his hands, a palm branch of peace
“To love Mary and bring others to love her” – Saint Peter Chanel
