Portal:Catholicism/Patron Archive/April 28

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Peter Chanel (1803–1841), Catholic priest, missionary and martyr. He was declared a saint and the first martyr (protomartyr) of Oceania (the South Pacific).Pierre Louis Marie Chanel was born on July 12, 1803 in La Potière near Cuet in the area of Belley, France. After some schooling at Cras his piety and intelligence attracted the attention of a local priest, Fr Trompier, and he was put into Church-sponsored education. He followed this with seminary training in 1819 at the minor seminary at Meximieux then in 1824 at the major seminary at Brou. He was ordained priest on 15 July 1827 and spent a brief time as an assistant priest at Amberieux. There he met Claude Bret who was to become his friend and also one of the first Marist Missionaries. From an early age Chanel had been thinking about going on the foreign missions and his intention was strengthened by the letters that arrived at Amberieux from a former curate, now a missionary in India. The following year Chanel applied to the bishop of Belley for permission to go to the missions. His application was not accepted and instead he was appointed for the next three years as parish priest of the run down parish of Crozet, which he revitalized in that short time. His zeal was widely respected and his care, particularly of those in the parish that were sick, won the hearts of the locals who began again to practice their faith. During this time Chanel heard of a group of Diocesan Priests who were hopeful of starting a religious order to be dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
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Patronage:Oceania
Prayer:St Peter Chanel you left your homeland to proclaim Jesus, Saviour of the world, to the peoples of Oceania. Guided by the spirit of God, who is the strength of the gentle, you bore witness to love, even laying down your life. Grant that like you we may live our daily life in peace, joy, and in love. May your prayer and example call forth from our midst many workers for the Gospel so that God's kingdom may reach to the ends of the earth.