The Filipino Saints: Inspiration to the Youth

San Pedro Calungsod and San Lorenzo Ruiz are two Filipino saints who gave their lives for their faith. Both were young and generous in their calling. Their generosity is exactly what pleases God, for it mirrors Jesus who also generously gave His life for us.

This disposition has to be assimilated by our youth, as it offers hope for everyone, young and old. Moreover, this disposition, as a “Yes” to what God desires can bring about good changes to the world that is filled with ambitions that tend to end in despair and violence, as history tells us.

San Pedro Calungsod and San Lorenzo Ruiz reached the heights of holiness after a continuous struggle with their “old selves” which culminated in their martyrdom. Like them, we too must contend with our fallen nature. In this spiritual combat, the virtues of humility, poverty and charity attract the divine.

Our nothingness leads us to total dependence on the grace of God. God’s mercy has already considered our faults, reverses, setbacks, but God wishes us to come back and to be docile to His will, for he knows it is to our greatest advantage and gain when we go back to Him. With this, we begin to accumulate little victories in the course of our daily struggle to be loving in our homes, offices, schools, workplaces and other activities that occupy us.

It is said that many want to be crucified in the public square, but refuse to undergo the nitty-gritty detail of everyday life where countless opportunities to sanctify ourselves abound. When we say “Yes” to God, He dwells in us, and we participate in His love, and this makes it easier for us to love Him and others more.

Finally, we need to take advantage of the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Penance, for they are channels of grace. We should not push away God when He knocks at the door of our hearts. This journey called life may be a continuous struggle; however, uniting ourselves to God makes us grow to holiness like San Pedro Calungsod and San Lorenzo Ruiz. Let us go the Mother of God, she too is our mother. (Johnny Sulit)