Lorenzo Ruiz
v. 1594-1637 17th century Feast day: September 28
The faithfulness of the ordinary believer, without rank or eloquence, who discovers in the hour of trial the strength to hold firm.
Who was Lorenzo Ruiz?
The first saint of the Philippines, born in Manila to a Chinese father and a Tagalog mother, an altar boy and then parish calligrapher, married and the father of three. Falsely accused of a crime, he sailed off with Dominican missionaries and ended up in Japan in the midst of persecution. Arrested in Nagasaki and tortured to make him renounce his faith, he died hung upside down over a pit. An ordinary man, caught by circumstance, who found that he would not give way.
In their own words
I am a Catholic, and wholeheartedly do accept death for God. Had I a thousand lives, all these I shall offer to Him.
Do with me as you please.