April Saints

        Peter Chanel
              1803-1841
      Peter was born in 1803, near Belley, France. He was an intelligent boy and he loved his faith. Peter was poor so he could not afford schooling. A priest paid for his schooling. Peter went into the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1827. Peter was sent to a community were not many Catholics practiced their faith. In just three years many people came back to their faith in full love for Jesus and the Church.

      In 1831 Peter Chanel wanted to become a missionary. He joined the Marist missionaries. To his disappointment he was sent to teach in a seminary for five years. In 1836 he was sent to the islands of the South Pacific. There he proclaimed the Catholic Faith. Niuliki, was the king of that island. He was jealous and fearful of the missionaries when they learned their  language and gained the trust of the people. Later, his own son wanted to be baptized a Christian. This made the King really mad. He sent warriors to kill the missionaries. On April 28th, 1841, Peter was clubbed and then his body was cut up with hatches.

      Five months after he had been martyred his goal was accomplished. The whole island had become Christian. He was canonized as first martyr of the South Seas in 1954 by Pope Pius the XII.