Today we read about St Peter Chanel in the book In Caelo et in Terra. He grew up in Belley, France. His devotion to God was very apparent when he was young, and his local priest encouraged him to study and become a priest, which he did. He longed to be a missionary, and often read the letters sent home from missionaries around the world.
At last he got his wish and was sent to Futuna in Oceania, which is east of Fiji. You can read more about Futuna here. He was moderately successful in sharing the gospel with the indigenous peoples of the island until the king's son wanted to be baptized. Enraged, the king ordered St Peter to be killed, and he was martyred by being beaten with clubs.
As often happens throughout history, the blood of this martyr was the seed of the church, and shortly after he died Christianity flourished on the island and a church now stands on the site where he was martyred.
You can read more about him here.
God, thank You for giving us this great example of missionary zeal, and reminding us that even if we die in sharing your good news with the world, our death will not be in vain. St Peter Chanel, pray for us.
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