09/09 ST PETER CLAVER

On SEPTEMBER 9th, the Church Remembers Saint Peter Claver. He could be considered one of the first members of the Black Lives Matter movement. He was born in Spain but was sent on mission to the Americas. When he arrived in Cartagena (now Columbia) he was appalled by the treatment of enslaved Africans.

St Peter would care for the enslaved from the moment the ships docked, and would continue to serve them in any way he could. He was one of very few white Europeans who treated the enslaved African people with equal dignity. Many other Europeans refused to enter his Masses because of his association with the black people who were welcome in his churches.

Saint Peter Claver is the patron saint of African Americans and so we ask his prayers for all black people, especially those who are mistreated because of their race, and all who suffer racial injustice. May he inspire us all to do better to tackle racism in all its forms.

Saint Peter Claver: Pray for us.