Without Fear

With the recent commemoration of our beloved saints, we remember the lives they have lived in holiness. Were they perfect? No, but surely they did a good job in trying to live holy lives. Zooming in on our very own Filipino saints, San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod, we know very little of these young men. As I researched about their individual lives, I have gathered some of the very common Filipino traits they exhibited.

Faith and Spirituality. No doubt, these two have not missed a single opportunity to express and evangelize their faith. Despite and in spite of hurdles and difficulty, they were willing to continue spreading truth that they have received. Their deaths were proof that they were very much committed to their faith.

Courage and Bravery. Going away to foreign lands, they have showed no fear in evangelizing to non-believers. Their belief was so strong that they were willing to cross seas to tell people the Good News of salvation. Indeed we Filipinos, most of the time are never afraid to speak what we believe in, we stand our ground and never back down.

Sense of community. Our close family ties and sense of community is one strong suit that Filipinos have. We prioritize the well-being of loved ones, members of the family and our community. San Lorenzo and San Pedro Calungsod did not try escaping and leaving behind their missionary companions when the time came for them to be executed. They remained with them through ups and downs and until the end.

These are just some of the many Filipino values that we continue to exhibit. May San Lorenzo and San Pedro Calungsod bless us as we strive to live the values our ancestors have passed on to us, without fear.