Lorenzo Ruiz was proclaimed "Blessed" in February 1981 at Luneta, together with 16 other companions, in connection with Pope John Paul II's papal visit to the Philippines. Although it had taken almost five years for Lorenzo Ruiz to be beatified, this is still one of the fastest processing of its kind in the twentieth century. More than that, the Pope broke established Vatican traditions and traveled to Asia to beatify him, an event that is totally unprecedented in the 2000-year history of the Roman Catholic Church. No one before Lorenzo had ever been beatified outside the Eternal City and in his own country. He was canonized and declared a "Saint" on October 18, 1987 in Rome. As such, he is now worthy of being venerated and honored on the church altar. His feastday falls on September 28.
"I'm a Christian and I will remain a Christian even to the point of death. Only to God will I offer my life. Even if I had a thousands lives, I would still offer them to him. This is the reason why I came here in Japan, to leave my native land as a Christian, offering my life to God alone." St. Lorenzo Ruiz.
Lorenzo Ruiz is the first Filipino saint. He is also the first Filipino martyred for the Christian Faith.
Prayer in Times of Adversity
Beloved Saints Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila and Companion Martyrs: You who experienced the supreme sacrifice of martyrdom for the proclamation of the Christian faith, inspire us with your strength and firmness of conviction to withstand the adversities of our lives and the difficulties of our existence. Teach us with your marvelous example and saintly wisdom to turns trial into blessings, by showing us the glory that comes from discovering the redemptive power of God's love. When times are full of grief, when moments are suffused with worry, let us feel your presence in our midst, so that we will be aware that you are by our side, strengthening us and interceding for us before Almighty God that we may have patience in our sufferings and consolation in our hardships. Help us realize that only in knowing our weakness can we be strong, only undergoing sadness can we find real happiness, and only passing through trials and distress can we find peace, encouragement and spiritual joy. Amen.
A genuine smile is an index of your happiness. So, put in a little more joy in your smile. Reach out to others and give a little more of yourself when you smile next time and the next.
The said truth is that it is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong. ~ Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) British philosopher.
Anais Nin: Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living.
