St. Peter Chanel Pendant
St. Peter Chanel was a Catholic priest and martyr who lived in the 19th century. He was a member of the Society of Mary, also known as the Marists, and is honored as a martyr of the Catholic Church. His feast day is celebrated on April 28th.
Peter Chanel was born in 1803 in the village of La Chavanne, in the region of Haute-Savoie, France. He was the second of ten children, and received a good education. At a young age, he was drawn to the priesthood and decided to join the Society of Mary, a religious community that was founded to work for the renewal of the Church.
After his ordination, Peter was sent to serve as a missionary in the Pacific islands, specifically in the island of Futuna. He arrived in 1837, and spent four years on the island, working tirelessly to share the message of Christianity with the local people. He became fluent in their language, and was known for his kindness and compassion towards the islanders.
During his time in Futuna, Peter made many converts to Christianity and had a positive impact on the local community. He also worked to combat the traditional practices of the islanders, such as polygamy, and replace them with more Christian values.
However, Peter’s success caused resentment among some of the islanders, especially the chiefs and the traditional leaders, who saw the Christianity as a threat to their power and culture. Eventually, on April 28, 1841, a group of islanders killed Peter, who was martyred for the sake of his mission.
After his death, Peter’s mission continued to thrive and many more people were converted to Christianity. His martyrdom also served as an inspiration to the other missionary priests and laypeople who came to Futuna after him.
The Catholic Church in Futuna grew rapidly, the first native priest of the island, was ordained in 1866, and by the end of the century, there were several thousand Catholics on the island.
The death of Peter Chanel marked the first recognized martyrdom of a Catholic Missionary in Oceania, and his legacy as a martyr and a missionary has continued to be celebrated and honored by the Church. His cause for canonization was opened in 1885, and in 1954, he was canonized by Pope Pius XII.
The Life of St. Peter Chanel
On September 24, 1836, St. Peter Chanel was one of the first of a group of seminarians, under the leadership of Father Jean Claude Marie Colin, to be professed in the religious institute which was founded in Lyons, France, in 1816, known as the “”Priests of the Society of Mary””. They are popularly called the Marist Fathers, and are dedicated to the Mother of God to do missionary work.
Ministry in the South Pacific
Peter’s parents were poor, humble, devout Catholics. From early youth he desired to consecrate his life to the service of God and the salvation of souls. When the new Order of Priests of the Society of Mary was proposed, he was one of the first to express a desire to join. For their special mission, Pope Gregory XVI assigned them the difficult, new missionary field of the Oceanic Islands. Peter Chanel was the first Christian missionary to land on that far-away isle of Futuna in the South Pacific.
Only three short years of extreme hardships and zealous labor were allotted to Father Chanel on Futuna. The tribes of the islands, many of them cannibals, had no apparent interest in the white man’s Faith, but they liked Father Chanel personally. They called him “”the kind man from afar””. After living by example, the evangelization prevailed. It was on the eve of Peter Chanel’s martyrdom, and the cause of it.
Martyrdom of St. Peter Chanel
A chief’s son had asked to be baptized, and it seemed as if the whole tribe would prepare for Baptism and renounce their pagan way of life and their worship of idols. The chieftain, however, refused to risk this radical change among his people, and ordered the massacre of the few Christians and the death of Peter Chanel. At daybreak on April 28, 1841, the aborigines of the island of Futuna, bore down upon Peter Chanel at the door of his hut, beat him with war clubs and shattered his bones.
As they were about to split open his skull, he cried out, using the language of his assassins-Malie fuai, “It is good for me that you are doing this”. Thus did Peter Chanel, at the age of thirty-seven, join the red-robed company of martyrs. Within a short time the number of baptisms was incredible, not only on Futuna, but on Wallis, Tonga and all the other islands. Futuna, itself, has the extraordinary reputation of an all-Catholic population. St. Peter Chanel was canonized by Pope Pius XII, in 1954.
Popular St. Peter Chanel Medal and St. Peter Chanel Rosary
A St. Peter Chanel medal or a St. Peter Chanel rosary is a perfect gift to give to a young man who has chosen St. Peter Chanel as their confirmation name. As the patron saint of all those who work in isolation as well as Oceania, wearing a St. Peter Chanel medal daily is a perpetual prayer for Saint Peter Chanel to intercede on behalf of the wearer. As saints are united closer to God, their prayers are more efficacious, and enriches your own prayer.
Additionally, a Saint Peter Chanel pendant is a reminder to emulate the example of the holy saint as you work in isolation or go about your own daily life. What a beautiful testament of faith to share with the world, or to keep discretely tucked under your clothes. During the challenging moments of your day, reflect upon the holy life of St. Peter Chanel and pray for their intercession and protection.
Our products feature a hand pressed St. Peter Chanel pendant medal on either a necklace rosary, or bangle bracelet. The Saint Peter Chanel medal pendant features the image of St. Peter Chanel wearing a cape with a cross around his neck. Surrounding the image are the words “St. Peter Chanel Pray for Us”
Medals and Pendants
Prayers to St. Peter Chanel
Prayer when wearing a St. Peter Chanel Medal
St Peter Chanel, you left your homeland
to proclaim Jesus, Saviour of the world,
to the peoples of Oceania.
Guided by the Spirit of God,
who is the strength of the gentle,
you bore witness to love,
even laying down your life.
Grant that, like you, we may live our daily life
in peace, in joy, and in fraternal love.
May your prayer and example
call forth from our midst
many workers for the Gospel
so that God’s Kingdom may reach
to the ends of the earth. Amen.
Prayer to St. Peter Chanel
Dear St. Peter Chanel, you were a shining example of faith, devotion, and mission, dedicating your life to spreading the good news of the gospel. I turn to you today, asking for your intercession and guidance as I seek to grow in my own faith.
Help me to deepen my relationship with God and to live a life that brings glory to His name. May I always be guided by His light, and may I have the courage to share the good news of the gospel with others. Amen.
A prayer for the Protection of St. Peter Chanel
Dear St. Peter Chanel, I pray for your protection today, that I may be guarded by your example and your deep devotion to God. Protect me from harm, both physical and spiritual, and keep me safe from all danger.
And may I always be guided by the light of the Lord, and live my life in a manner that brings glory to His name. Amen.
A prayer for the Intercession of St. Peter Chanel
Dear St. Peter Chanel, I turn to you today in need of your intercession. You were known for your unwavering faith and your dedication to spreading the gospel, and I ask that you intercede for me and for all those in need of your help.
Please pray for those who are struggling in their faith, that they may find comfort and hope in their trials. Pray for those who are seeking a deeper relationship with God, that they may find what they are looking for. And pray for all of us, that we may grow in our faith and deepen our own relationships with the Lord. Amen.
St. Peter Chanel: Patron Saint of Oceania and Missionaries
St. Peter Chanel is the patron saint of Oceania and missionaries. This designation stems from his life as a missionary in the South Pacific and his deep devotion to spreading the gospel and serving the people of Oceania.
St. Peter Chanel was a priest and a member of the Marist Fathers, a religious order dedicated to evangelizing the people of the South Pacific. He traveled to the islands of Oceania, where he worked tirelessly to spread the gospel and to serve the local communities. He was known for his devotion to the people he served, and for his unwavering commitment to his faith and his mission.
In recognition of his dedication to serving the people of Oceania and his commitment to spreading the gospel, St. Peter Chanel was made the patron saint of Oceania and missionaries. Those who venerate him believe that he provides a special grace and protection to missionaries, and that he inspires all those who are called to serve the people of Oceania.
For those who are called to serve as missionaries, or who are working to spread the gospel and serve the people of Oceania, St. Peter Chanel is a source of inspiration and guidance. He reminds us that our faith in God and our commitment to serving others can sustain us and give us the strength to endure, and that our efforts to spread the gospel and to serve others can bring hope and healing to the world. Whether we are serving as missionaries, working to serve the people of Oceania, or simply in need of comfort and support, St. Peter Chanel is there to guide and support us on our journey.” “
Reflection on the feast day of St. Peter Chanel
The feast day of St. Peter Chanel is April 28th.
St. Peter Chanel was a 19th century priest and missionary who is known for his work in the South Pacific, specifically in the island of Futuna. He was martyred while trying to spread the Gospel to the islanders. As we celebrate his feast day, we are reminded of the importance of living a life of faith and devotion, even in the face of adversity.
One of the most striking aspects of St. Peter Chanel’s life was his deep commitment to spreading the gospel. He understood that the message of Jesus Christ was meant for all people, and he was willing to go to the ends of the earth to share it. His willingness to leave his comfort zone and to face the unknown reminds us of the importance of being open to the call of the Holy Spirit and of being willing to go wherever we are needed.
Another important aspect of St. Peter Chanel’s life was his devotion to God. He was a man of deep faith, and his love for God was evident in everything he did. As we celebrate his feast day, we are called to imitate his example and to deepen our own relationship with God. We are reminded that true holiness is not about our own abilities, but about allowing God to work through us.
St. Peter Chanel’s death was a testimony of his love and devotion to God, He was killed because of the message he preached, but he died with the conviction that he had fulfilled his mission. He accepted his death as a way of participating in the suffering of Christ for the salvation of souls. His death reminds us that faith is not just a matter of words but actions, and that sometimes it requires sacrifice.
In conclusion, let us take inspiration from St. Peter Chanel’s life, and strive to live a life of faith and devotion, spreading the gospel, dedicating ourselves to God and being willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel. May we too be a source of hope and guidance to those around us, just as St. Peter Chanel was in his time.
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