St. Peter Claver Medal

St. Peter Claver Biography

St. Peter Claver was a Spanish Jesuit priest who is known for his extensive missionary work among enslaved African people in Colombia. He was born in 1580 in the Catalonia region of Spain, and joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1602.

After completing his theological studies, Claver was sent to the New Kingdom of Granada, which is now present-day Colombia. He arrived in Cartagena, a major port city on the Caribbean coast, in 1610. At the time, Cartagena was a major center for the transatlantic slave trade, and thousands of enslaved people were brought there each year to be sold.

Claver immediately began to work with these enslaved people, visiting the slave ships that arrived in the port and offering assistance and comfort to the enslaved people who were taken off of them. He also provided them with clothes, medicine, and other necessities. He would also teach them about Christianity and baptized thousands of them .

Claver also worked to improve the living conditions of the enslaved people in Cartagena, advocating for better treatment and working to prevent abuse. He also built schools to teach them to read and write, and to give them a basic education.

Claver spent more than 40 years in Cartagena, working tirelessly to help the enslaved people who were brought there. Despite facing many difficulties, including resistance from slave traders and a lack of support from other members of the Church, he never wavered in his mission to help those in need.

Claver’s work was not limited to just the enslaved people, but he also provided assistance to the poor and the sick, regardless of their race or ethnicity. He was often known as the “”slave of the slaves”” for his devotion to their well-being and he treated them as human beings with the same rights and dignity as any other person.

After spending four decades in Cartagena, Claver became ill and died there in 1654 at the age of 74. He was buried in the city’s cathedral, but his remains were later transferred to a church in the city.

Claver was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1888, and he is now considered the patron saint of slaves and the evangelization of Africa and America. He has also been honored by the Catholic Church and civil authorities in Colombia, as well as by various other organizations and individuals around the world who recognize his tireless work on behalf of the poor, enslaved and marginalized.

The Life of St. Peter Claver

During the 17th century the city of Cartagena on the northern shore of South America, was the central point in the struggle in which the European nations were engaged for the wealth of the New World. Its splendid harbor made it the market for all the treasures of Mexico, Peru, Potosi, and the West Indies. But it became the scene of the most hideous slave traffic that ever disgraced the name of man, and cried to Heaven for vengeance. Amidst this avarice, corruption, and cruelty, God raised up a Saint who for forty years was the visible sign of His protecting Providence to hundreds of thousands of the most abject and abandoned of His creatures.

The Slave of the Slaves

It was Saint Peter Claver, the slave of the slaves forever, as he named himself when he made his religious profession in the Society of Jesus. His life was one of heroic love, of unreserved sacrifice, of supreme mortification. Peter was born at Verdu, near Barcelona, Spain, in June, 1581.

At birth he was consecrated to God by pious parents. To promote as best they could the promise made, they sent their son to Solsona to pursue his studies, where he spent several years under the tutelage of an uncle who was a Canon of the Church. As the years passed the marks of a vocation to the priesthood grew clearer, and Peter was sent to Barcelona, where he would have an opportunity to cultivate the many gifts wherewith endowed him. It was in this city that he learned to know the Society of Jesus, which he entered in August, 1602.

He made his vows on August 8, 1604, and wrote at that time: “”I consecrate myself to God till death, looking on myself henceforth as a slave whose whole office lies in being at the service of his Master, and working with all my soul body and mind to please and satisfy Him in all and by all””.

While studying philosophy at the Jesuit college he met St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, a lay brother and porter, advancing towards the close of a life of heroic virtue. St. Peter Claver was ordained Priest in New Granada, Colombia, South America, in March, 1616, and in 1622 was sent to the Jesuit college at Cartagena. Ten or twelve thousand slaves, torn away from their families and their native Africa were transported and unloaded yearly at this port. Covered with wounds and alive with vermin, they received neither pity from the white men who bought them nor a second thought from the slave traders who bartered theme for beads and showy trifles.

Ministry to the Most Oppressed

It was to these poor, deeply afflicted human beings that St. Peter Claver devoted his life for nearly forty years, was their apostle, father, physician and friend. He fed them and nursed them with the utmost tenderness in their loath some diseases. No matter how tired he might be, when news reached him of the arrival of another slave-ship. St Peter at once went on board to bring comfort for body and soul to his dear slaves. God so blessed his labor, that he was able to baptize forty thousand of these African slaves.

The Passion of Our Lord was the strongest attraction of St. Peter Claver’s soul. He was often absorbed the entire night in contemplation, with a crown of very sharp thorns on his head. He died September 8, 1654. When the news of the death of the great benefactor of the slaves reached the inhabitants of the city, they cried, “The Saint is dead. The Saint is dead”. Many miraculous cures attested the sanctity of the servant of God. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIII, and given the title of “Apostle of the Slaves”. 

Popular St. Peter Claver Medal and St. Peter Claver Rosary

A St. Peter Claver medal or a St. Peter Claver rosary is a perfect gift to give to a young man who has chosen St. Peter Claver as their confirmation name. As the patron saint of missions to Africa, wearing a St. Peter Claver medal daily is a perpetual prayer for Saint Peter Claver 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 Claver pendant is a reminder to emulate the example of the holy saint as you go on mission and live about your 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 Claver and pray for their intercession and protection.

Our St. Peter Claver Medal is made by hand in the United States and features the beautiful image of the holy saint surrounded by the words “St. Peter Claver Pray for Us”

Prayers to St. Peter Claver

Prayer to Saint Peter Claver

O God, who made Saint Peter Claver a slave of slaves and strengthened him with wonder charity and patience as he came to their help, grant, through his intercession, that, seeking the things of Jesus Christ, we may love our neighbor in deeds and in truth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Prayer of Intercession while wearing a St. Peter Claver medal

Lord, for love of you
St. Peter Claver became
the faithful servant of slaves.
Through his prayer
help us to see the true dignity of the human family,
all children of one father
and to spend ourselves for their salvation.
We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to St. Peter Claver

Dear St. Peter Claver, you were known for your selfless dedication to the poor and the oppressed, and for your unwavering faith in God. I turn to you today, asking for your intercession and guidance as I seek to follow in your footsteps.

May I always be filled with the compassion and love that you showed to all those in need. Help me to see the dignity in every person, no matter their circumstances, and to be a servant to those in need. Amen.

A prayer for the Protection of St. Peter Claver

Dear St. Peter Claver, I pray for your protection today, that I may be guarded by your example and your unwavering faith in God. Protect me from harm, both physical and spiritual, and keep me safe from all danger.

And may I always have the courage to stand up for what is right and to serve the needs of others, as you did. Amen.

A prayer for the Intercession of St. Peter Claver

Dear St. Peter Claver, I turn to you today in need of your intercession. You were known for your unwavering faith and your dedication to the poor and the oppressed, 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 to serve others, that they may be guided by your example. And pray for all of us, that we may grow in our faith and deepen our own relationships with the Lord. Amen.

 

St. Peter Claver: Patron Saint of Slaves and Missionaries

St. Peter Claver was a Spanish Jesuit priest who lived in the 17th century and is known for his tireless work on behalf of African slaves in Cartagena, Colombia.

Why is St. Peter Claver the Patron Saint of Slaves and Missionaries?

St. Peter Claver is the patron saint of slaves and missionaries because of his tireless efforts to care for and minister to African slaves in Cartagena. He spent his life working to bring hope and comfort to the thousands of enslaved Africans who were brought to the New World and faced brutal conditions and inhumane treatment.

St. Peter Claver used his position as a priest to bring a message of love, compassion, and hope to the slaves and to work tirelessly to improve their lives. He devoted himself to their welfare, visiting them in the slave fortresses, caring for the sick, and providing them with religious instruction.

St. Peter Claver is also considered the patron saint of missionaries because of his unwavering dedication to spreading the message of the gospel to all people, regardless of race or background. He is a powerful example of how one person can make a difference in the world through acts of compassion and selflessness.

St. Peter Claver’s Legacy

St. Peter Claver’s legacy is one of tireless devotion and selfless service to others. His unwavering commitment to the well-being of African slaves and his tireless efforts to bring the message of the gospel to all people serve as a powerful example of what it means to live a life of faith and compassion.

Today, St. Peter Claver continues to inspire countless people to live lives of service, to work for the dignity and rights of all people, and to bring hope and comfort to those who are marginalized and in need. In a world that often seems harsh and unforgiving, St. Peter Claver serves as a beacon of light, reminding us all of the power of love and compassion to change the world.” “

Reflection on the feast day of St. Peter Claver

The feast day of St. Peter Claver is September 9th.

St. Peter Claver was a Spanish Jesuit priest who lived in the 17th century. He is known for his work as a missionary in Colombia, where he devoted himself to the care and Christian instruction of African slaves who were brought to the region. He is considered the patron saint of slaves, and his feast day is celebrated by the Catholic Church.

On his feast day, we can reflect on the importance of the fight against slavery and the defense of human dignity. St. Peter Claver devoted his life to the care and Christian instruction of African slaves, who were treated as mere property and had no human rights. His work reminds us of the importance of fighting against slavery and all forms of oppression and discrimination that dehumanize others.

St. Peter Claver’s work also reminds us of the importance of compassion and charity. He was known for his tireless work among the slaves and for his kindness and generosity towards them. He is an example for us to follow, as we should strive to show compassion and charity towards those who are suffering and in need.

St. Peter Claver’s devotion to the African slaves also reminds us of the importance of diversity and inclusivity. He recognized the humanity and dignity of the slaves regardless of their race and background. His example is a reminder that we should strive to recognize and respect the dignity of all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or any other differences.

In conclusion, the feast day of St. Peter Claver is an opportunity for us to reflect on the importance of the fight against slavery, the defense of human dignity, compassion, charity, and diversity. Let us follow the example of St. Peter Claver and strive to fight against slavery and all forms of oppression, to show compassion and charity towards those who are suffering, and to recognize and respect the dignity of all people, regardless of their differences.

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Saints Similar to St. Peter Claver

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Martin de Porres and St. Mary Margaret Alacoque. St. Peter Claver and St. Martin de Porres were both dedicated to the care of enslaved and oppressed individuals, particularly in South America. St. Mary Margaret Alacoque shares a connection through her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Next up: Biography of St. Peter Julian Eymard

 

Also check out our handmade St. Peter Claver Medal and St. Peter Claver Rosary and St. Peter Claver Rosary Bracelet .