The Spirit of Jesus Brings us to Heaven

Franz Maxyn C. Rubio 4-St.Cecilia Religion Project

San Lorenzo Ruiz

On September 29,1637, San Lorenzo Ruiz professed his faith by martyrdom. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Manila and later canonized on October 28,1987. San Lorenzo Ruiz holds the distinction of being the first person beatified outside the Vatican. He also holds the honor of being the first Filipino saint, the "most improbable of saints," as Pope John Paul II described him during the canonization ceremony.

San Pedro Calungsod

Blessed Pedro Calungsod (c. 1654 April 2, 1672) was a young Roman Catholic Filipino sacristan and missionary catechist, who along with Spanish Jesuit missionary Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, suffered religious persecution and martyrdom on Guam for their missionary work in 1672. Calungsod was beatified on March 5, 2000 by Blessed Pope John Paul II. On February 18, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially announced at Saint Peters Basilica that Calungsod will be canonised on October 21,2012.

St. Nicholas
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

St. Anthony Claret

Anthony was born in Spain's northeast region of Catalonia in 1807 to a working class family. His father was a weaver and employed several people in the first floor factory of their small two story house. When Anthony was born on December 23, 1807, and throughout his earliest years, his hometown of Sallent was in the path of the invading French Armies of Napoleon. With the armies came revolutionary ideas that would trouble Spain throughout Anthony's life. His character was built on lasting childhood experiences and impressions: shared family life and prayer, manual work, competition, creativity and practicality, and sensitivity to the needs of others.

St. James
St. James was declared a saint before the official canonization process was instituted in the 12th century. He would have been declared a saint to the bishop by those who knew him best and were familiar with his life and merits. The local bishop would them make the decision. At the time, anyone dying a martyr's death was automatically considered saint.

St. Andrew
When Saint Andrew was born, died and canonized is unknown. The Catholic Church started to use canonization during the 10th century. Before then, public acclaim was the method used to canonize a saint, and Saint Andrew's canonization falls in that period.