Saint Peter Baptist

Memorial

• 6 February

Profile

Joined the Franciscans in 1567. Missionary to Mexico, the Philippines beginning in 1583, and Japan in 1593. First bishop of the diocese of Nueva Caceres, Philippines. Noted for his work with lepers. Superior of the missionaries in Japan. Negotiated with the Japanese emperor. Founded schools, hospitals, and convents. Miracle worker. The emperor began to fear that missionaries were a prelude to invasion by the west, and ordered them all imprisoned. One of the Martyrs of Nagasaki. Reportedly seen celebrating Mass long after his death.

Born

• 1545 at San Esteban del Valle, Avila, Spain

Died

• crucified on 5 February 1597 at Nagasaki, Japan
• body reported incorrupt after two months exposure to the elements

Beatified

• 14 September 1627 by Pope Urban VIII

Canonized

• 8 June 1862 by Pope Pius IX

Patronage

• Caceres, Philippines, archdiocese of
• Japan

Additional Information

• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints

MLA Citation

• “Saint Peter Baptist”. Saints.SQPN.com. 18 July 2010. Web. 18 June 2013. <http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-peter-baptist/>