St Peter Claver

September 9

St. Peter Claver 

Peter Claver (1580-1654) was a Spanish Jesuit priest whose ministry to African slaves brought to Colombia earned him the title “Saint of the Slaves.” He is the patron saint of Colombia and of missionary work among people of color. The Society of Jesus sent him to Cartagena in 1610 and he was ordained  a priest six years later.

Peter devoted himself to the spiritual and physical care of the slaves, bringing them food, medicine, and other necessities.  He used interpreters and pictures to educate the slaves about the Faith and prepared them for baptism. It is said that by 1615 he had baptized more than 300,000.  

When not engaged in ministry to the slaves, he brought the sacraments to prisoners, and the sick, and conducted retreats for traders and seamen. He fell victim to a plague and for the last four years of his life he was in constant pain so that he could no longer celebrate Mass. Although he had devoted most of his life to the care of others, his own care was largely in the hands of a gruff young man who often neglected him. He died on September 8, 1654. He was canonized in 1888