Join the Filipino-American community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Tampa, FL, for a heartfelt celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila on Sunday, September 29, 2024, during the 10:00 AM Mass. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of parishioners Jun and Gloria Biaquis, Jojie Vicedo, and Rev. Kyle D. Smith, who will lead the Mass, this special occasion will honor the life and faith of the first Filipino saint. Afterward, we invite everyone to a lively reception at Stokes Hall.
Lorenzo Ruiz, born in Binondo, Manila in 1594, is a shining example of unshakable faith. During the 17th-century persecution of Christians by the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan, he refused to deny his Catholic beliefs, even in the face of brutal torture. His final words before his death on September 29, 1637, speak to his courage: “Ego Catholicus sum et animo prompto paratoque pro Deo mortem obibo. Si mille vitas haberem, cunctas ei offerrem,” meaning, “I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly accept death for God. If I had a thousand lives, I would offer them all to Him.”
San Lorenzo was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1981 during his visit to the Philippines, making it the first beatification ever held outside Vatican City. In 1987, he was canonized as the first Filipino saint, cementing his legacy as a martyr for both faith and country.
This is a time for us to come together as a community, celebrate our faith, and remember the remarkable life of San Lorenzo Ruiz. We hope to see you there!
