Peter Chanel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintPeter Chanel S.M. |
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| Protomartyr of Oceania | |
| Born | 12 July 1803 Montrevel-en-Bresse, Ain, France |
| Died | 28 April 1841 (aged 37) Futuna Island |
| Venerated in | The Catholic Church Church of England |
| Beatified | 17 November 1889, Rome by Pope Leo XIII |
| Canonized | 12 June 1954, Rome by Pope Pius XII |
| Major shrine | Futuna |
| Feast | 28 April |
| Attributes | Gentle, Kind, Encouraging |
| Patronage | Oceania |
Saint Peter Chanel (born July 12, 1803, died April 28, 1841) was a Catholic priest. He was also a missionary and a martyr. A martyr is someone who dies for their beliefs. Peter was part of a group called the Society of Mary. He traveled far away to Oceania to share his faith. He arrived on Futuna Island in November 1837. Sadly, he was killed in April 1841. A local chief ordered his death because his son became a Christian.
Contents
The Life of Peter Chanel
His Early Years
Peter Chanel was born in a small village in France. His family lived near Montrevel-en-Bresse. He was the fifth of eight children. From age 7 to 12, Peter worked as a shepherd. A local priest saw how smart and religious Peter was. The priest convinced Peter's parents to let him go to school.
Peter's interest in becoming a missionary started early. He read letters from missionaries in America. He later said that this made him want to travel and help people. In 1819, he went to a special school for priests. He won many awards there. He continued his studies in other schools.
Peter became a priest on July 15, 1827. He worked for a short time in a parish. There, he read more letters from missionaries. He met a friend, Claude Bret, who also wanted to be a missionary. Peter asked his bishop if he could go on missions. His request was not accepted at first. Instead, he became a parish priest in Crozet.
Peter found his new church in a bad state. Few people came to church. Children were often left alone. Peter worked hard to help the people. He cared for the sick and won their trust. During this time, he heard about a new group of priests. They wanted to form a religious order. This group would be dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
Becoming a Marist Missionary
In 1831, Peter Chanel joined this new group. They were called the Society of Mary (Marists). The Marists focused on local missions and missions abroad. Peter was first made a spiritual director at a seminary. He stayed there for five years. In 1833, he traveled to Rome. He helped the Marists get approval for their group.
In 1836, the Marists were asked to send missionaries to the southwest Pacific. The Pope agreed to formally approve their group. Peter became a Marist on September 24, 1836. He was chosen to lead a group of seven Marist missionaries. They left France on December 24, 1836. They sailed on a ship called the Delphine.
Peter's journey was long and difficult. He first stopped in the Canary Islands. His friend, Claude Bret, got sick and died at sea. Next, Peter traveled to Valparaíso, Chile. He then stopped in the Gambier Islands and Tahiti. From Tahiti, they sailed to Wallis. Two missionaries stayed there. Peter continued his journey to Futuna. He was joined by a French lay brother, Marie-Nizier Delorme. They arrived on Futuna on November 8, 1837. An English man named Thomas Boag also joined them.
His Martyrdom
The king of Futuna, Niuliki, first welcomed the missionaries. Peter worked hard to learn the local language. He faced many challenges. There was little food, and he felt isolated. But he remained patient and brave. In 1839, a big storm destroyed many homes and farms. Peter helped the sick and baptized those who were dying. People called him "the man with the kind heart."
His mission slowly began to succeed. Some local people became Christians. Others started learning about the faith. King Niuliki worried that Christianity would weaken his power. His own son, Meitala, wanted to be baptized. The king sent his son-in-law, Musumusu, to stop this. Musumusu was a favored warrior.
Musumusu fought with Meitala. Musumusu was injured in the fight. He then went to Peter, pretending he needed medical help. While Peter was caring for him, others robbed Peter's house. Musumusu then took an ax. He used it to club Peter Chanel to death. Peter died on April 28, 1841.
Peter Chanel's Relics
Bishop Pompallier heard about Peter's death. He was in New Zealand at the time. He sent a French naval ship to Futuna. The ship arrived on December 30, 1841. A chief named Maligi had not agreed to Peter's murder. He helped find Peter's body. The body was wrapped in mats.
The ship's doctor checked the remains. He confirmed it was Peter Chanel. The doctor preserved the body. It was placed in a cask. The body was then taken to New Zealand. It stayed there until 1849. Then, it was sent to Australia. From Australia, it traveled to France. Peter's remains arrived at the Marist headquarters in Lyon, France, in 1850. In 1977, the relics were returned to Futuna. His skull was returned to Futuna in 1985.
Conversions on Futuna
After Peter's death, other missionaries returned to Futuna. They arrived on June 9, 1842. Over time, most people on the island became Catholic. Musumusu, the man who killed Peter, also converted. When he was dying, he asked to be buried outside the church. He wanted people to walk over his grave when they came to honor Peter.
Some people believe a Tongan dance, the eke, started as a way to show sorrow for Peter's death.
Honoring Saint Peter Chanel
Peter Chanel was recognized as a martyr. He was declared "blessed" on November 17, 1889. He was made a saint on June 12, 1954, by Pope Pius XII. Saint Peter Chanel is known as the first martyr and patron saint of Oceania. His feast day is April 28. This day is a public holiday in Wallis and Futuna.
The Church of England also remembers Peter on April 28.
His Legacy
Marist priests and brothers continue Peter's work in Oceania. This area is as big as Western Europe. It includes six independent countries and two French territories. The Marist Oceania province is the largest in the Society of Mary.
Many schools and colleges are named after Saint Peter Chanel. Most are in Oceania, but some are in other places, like Chanel College, Dublin.
See also
- Marcellin Champagnat
- Peter Julian Eymard
- Saint Peter Chanel, patron saint archive
- Pacific Regional Seminary of St Peter Chanel, in Fiji
Links
Roger Burke, Michael Perry, St. Peter Chanel, Patron of Chanel College, Gladstone, Gladstone, Australia: Gladstone Printing Services, 1988
