Philippine Diary: In the Footsteps of San Pedro Bautista

Q U I C K S C A N

The early life of San Pedro Bautista
San Pedro goes to Japan
The heroism of San Pedro and his companions lives on

This image of San Pedro Bautista with spears stands behind the main altar of San Pedro Bautista in San Francisco del Monte. (Photo by Jack Wintz, O.F.M.)

As some of you may remember, I recently made a three-week trip to the Philippines (Jan. 25-Feb. 15, 2008). In my Feb. 14 Inbox, I promised to come back with a few E-spirations based on that trip. Here’s my first installment in a series to be called “Philippine Diary.” It will focus on the life of San Pedro Bautista as well as on how I had the honor, along with many others, of living at the same location where he once lived and ministered. Franciscans celebrate the feast day of San Pedro and his companion martyrs on Feb. 6.

The early life of San Pedro Bautista

San Pedro Bautista (or St. Peter Baptist, in English) was born in Spain in 1542. In 1566, he joined the Franciscans and, a few years later, was ordained a priest and devoted himself to preaching and teaching. In 1581, he sailed for the Philippines with a group of friars. He and his companions stopped over in Mexico and spent three years there evangelizing the native people. Pedro arrived in Manila in 1584. He engaged in the construction of churches, convents and hospitals. At the same time, he preached the good news and explained the teachings of Christ.

The building on the left is the provincial house of San Pedro Bautista Province. The arched doorway on the right leads into San Pedro Bautista Friary. The statue of San Pedro stands against the back part of the parish church named after him. (Photo by Jack Wintz, O.F.M.)

During this time, Pedro built a house of prayer in San Francisco del Monte, near Manila. He also had a hand in building other churches and schools in a whole range of places. He lived for a time at a simple residence and chapel in San Francisco del Monte, which later (between 1696 and 1699) was developed into a church and friary built of volcanic tuff or rock. Today, Franciscan friars still live in parts of this rough stone structure. But Pedro Bautista was only familiar with an earlier version of the place, built of simpler materials like bamboo and thatch in the early 1590s. He is considered, however, the founder of San Francisco del Monte and the patron of the church and friary now known as San Pedro Bautista. He is also the patron of the Franciscan Province of San Pedro Bautista, whose provincial house is located on the same property

San Pedro goes to Japan

In 1592, after nine years working with the Filipino people, Pedro Bautista was sent under the authority of Philip II of Spain as an ambassador to Japan. His diplomatic mission succeeded and he won favor with the Japanese authorities. He received permission to stay on in Japan and to build a church and friary in Kyoto. With five other friars, he labored zealously, converting many to the faith. Their success in making converts and establishing churches and hospitals caused them to become a threat to a regional leader named Hideyoshi. As a result, a fierce persecution broke out. In 1596, Christians were rounded up and thrown into jail. Pedro Bautista and 25 companions (five Franciscan priests, 17 Secular Franciscans and three Jesuits) were forced to make a long and horrendous march from Kyoto to Nagasaki. On the way, they suffered the jeers of onlookers and the winter cold. On a hill in Nagasaki, on Feb. 5, 1597, they were crucified and run through with spears. They were canonized in 1862.

The heroism of San Pedro and his companions lives on

This late 17th-century courtyard of the old stone friary where friars continue to live is still intact. (Photo by Jack Wintz, O.F.M.)

I feel fortunate to have lived in San Francisco del Monte in 1971 and 1972, on the same site that Pedro Bautista and some of his confreres lived four centuries earlier, and to return in early February of this year to spend two days visiting after an absence of 35 years. I noticed many changes and improvements. I also connected with San Pedro Bautista in 1982, while visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki to interview survivors of the atomic bombing of those cities (to prepare articles for St. Anthony Messenger). In Nagasaki, I visited the hill and the public shrine marking the place where San Pedro and the other holy martyrs of Nagasaki were killed and where they are entombed. There is something very intense and dramatic about standing before the tomb of these heroic men and women. I can still feel the power of their courageous and collective witness emanating from the tomb.

The Franciscan and Christian family in the Philippines and in Japan is blessed to have had the presence and example of San Pedro Bautista and his fellow martyrs among them. May our faith be strengthened by their display of heroic faith.

This commemorative plaque, below the statue of San Pedro, lists the titles and achievements of the saint. (Photo by Jack Wintz, O.F.M.)

Friar Jim’s Inbox

Readers respond to Friar Jim’s “Catechism Quiz: How Are We Touched by God?”

Dear Friar Jim: Your words are really inspirational. I know that when someone touches me on the shoulder when I am sad, it helps me so much. I feel the person really cares. Thanks for the message you send to all of us. May God touch you in your ministry. Joyce

Dear Friar Jim: What a wonderful reflection on “touch.” Thank you! I passed it on to our assisted-care and nursing-home directors. I reflected even on the ability to touch with our looks, smiles and voices. So many different ways of presenting and bringing God into the lives of our residents! Hope all is well with you. I remembered you in prayer on the first day of this month. Kateri

Send your feedback to friarjack@americancatholic.org.

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