February 28, 2010

First Filipino Saint

Lorenzo Ruiz (c. 1600–1637) was a Chinese Filipino layman with two sons and a daughter who lived in Binondo, Manila's Chinatown. Falsely accused of killing a Spaniard, he was granted asylum on a ship with three Dominican priests. When the ship landed in Japan, the group was arrested for their Christian faith and tortured. Lorenzo refused to recant his faith and was finally subjected to the horrendous form of torture called tsurushi. After two days hanging upside down in an enclosed pit, he died from bleeding and suffocation. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Manila in 1981 and canonized in 1987. This statue of him stands in the small Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz in front of the Binondo Church, which is formally titled the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz.

statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo, Manila

17 comments:

Lowell said...

Very fine sculpture. Is that some kind of Chinese lantern? A very interesting post, Hilda!

Ilse said...

Such an awful story.

RJ said...

Lorenzo Ruiz's biography really speaks of his deep faith in God! I haven't seen this statue back home; ...happy to discover it in yor blog.

The title of this post has urged me to check the www of the list other Filipino Saints, and I found Mother Ignacia del Espiritu Santo.

I think there are plenty of forgotten, unnamed, unbeatified or uncanonized 'saints' in our country. I believe that every Filipino isn't just born to become a hero, he/she's born and molded into a 'saint' he/she would become, as well. o",)

Anonymous said...

What a moving story.

Love the fact that he is barefoot, in my opinion, reflecting his close and honest contact with life.

A nice Sunday to you.

Debbie Courson Smith said...

I, too, am drawn to the bare feet...and the thoughts of connections with that choice.

Don and Krise said...

Another who's faith knew no limitations. That's some story Hilda.

VP said...

One of the Dominican friars was the Sicilian Giordano Ansalone, beatified and canonized with Saint Lorenzo Ruiz.

Cezar and Léia said...

While some humans are capable of horrendous things, others are brave enough to stand the harshest afflictions... Thanks for this post.
God bless you!
Cezar

brattcat said...

The statue captures a purity of spirit. Thank you for this post.

Unseen Rajasthan said...

Beautiful Statue !! Simply amazing !!

Louis la Vache said...

Inspriring story, Hilda. As others have commented, the bare feet say a lot about him. The extremes of what humanity can do are displayed in the life and death of this saint.

Anya said...

LOL
He is sooooooooooo long :-)
Unique shot !!

Neva said...

An amazing story of faith....nice one.

Andreea said...

A very moving story and a nice statue.

Anonymous said...

Excellent post of information. I always learn something here, Hilda!

Kaori said...

Oh no! I've heard of the Tsurushi, and that many people were tortured that way in the old days. I'm glad there's a statue to remember him by :)

escape said...

nice nice. i too like that area but i like the church the most there and the hidden temples.