Who is San Lorenzo Ruiz?

SAN LORENZO RUIZ is known to be as the first Filipino martyr saint. He is loved by millions of Filipino Catholics and other devout Catholics from around the globe. He was canonized as a saint on 8th October 1987 at the Vatican City in Rome by Pope John Paul II.

Let me share what I know about him:

SAN LORENZO RUIZ IS A FILIPINO (1600 - 1637)...

His father was a Chinese and his mother was a Tagala (Filipina). He was born and raised in Binondo, Manila. When he was in Japan being interrogated by the governors in Nagasaki, he declared himself as a 'Filipino from Manila.'

SAN LORENZO IS AN ORDINARY CHRISTIAN AND A DEVOUT CATHOLIC...

He was educated and influenced mainly by the Dominican priests in Binondo. He learned Spanish and Catechism from them.  He was a lay man who served the church as a an altar boy when he was young, as an Escribano (Transcriber) for the church's official books, and was a member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary. He was a simple family man. A husband to Rosario and a father to their two sons and a daughter. His family lead a generally peaceful, religious and content life.

SAN LORENZO IS THE PATRON SAINT OF FILIPINOS WORKING ABROAD...

After he was wrongly accused of murdering a Spaniard, he left the country on board a ship together with three Dominican priests and a lay leper. They left for Okinawa, Japan on 10 June 1636.

Just like the other Filipinos working abroad, he experienced being away from his family so as to survive.

SAN LORENZO IS AN EPITOME OF ADAMANT FAITH...

At that time in Japan, the missionary Christians were being captured and persecuted. They were arrested and put into prison. When he was facing trials and torture so that he would renounce Christianity, his body was frail and weak. But, his faith was at its strongest. In his last breath he said:
'I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for the Lord; If I had a thousand lives, all these I shall offer to Him.'

He died. But his faith and legacy have lived from then on.

SAN LORENZO IS MY PATRON SAINT...
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When I was growing up in a small town in Quezon, I could still remember our catechists would tell stories about his martyrdom and every 28th of September, we would always have a big gathering in an auditorium. We would play games and have contests. It was a way of celebrating San Lorenzo's Day.

Then, years passed and I went back to my hometown as a teacher. I didn't know whether it was destined or just by accident. I was assigned to help mount a theatrical production of San Lorenzo Ruiz. I was totally clueless for I didn't know anything about theater. It was not my cup of tea. But, I still went on. I supervised the students during their rehearsals and on the day of the presentation, it was a ------!
Actually, a total fail and mess.

Then something hit me. So, I promised to myself I wanted to make it up.

The following year, I took the steps. I prepared my students to mount a theatrical production that could really move the hearts of those who would see it and really get to know our martyr saint.

On the day of the presentation, it happened. My students and I made something that would always be remembered by the audience. It was remarkable. I felt I was redeemed and I gave justice in showcasing his life.

Many still can't believe that it was my first full-length, hands-on theatrical production knowing that I never got any training in theater. I didn't know where I uprooted the talent and skills. From the script, casts, music to the workshops and rehearsals. I felt there was a different me. What I knew was during my time of preparation and meditation I always would ask San Lorenzo to guide me.

That year of 1997, I just wanted to redeem myself. I just wanted to tell San Lorenzo's story. But, I was given more than that... a talent and skill I would always be grateful for.


Thank you, San Lorenzo Ruiz.


credits to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorenzo_Ruiz
http://blessedsacramenthollywood.org/ministry/san-lorenzo-ruiz.htm