Canonisation of PNG’s first saint scheduled for Mission Sunday

The date was announced by Pope Leo XIV in a consistory with cardinals on June 13. The Pope also announced a September 7 canonisation date for young Blesseds Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. These will be the first saints canonised by Pope Leo.

Blessed Peter To Rot was a martyred lay catechist, husband and father from Papua New Guinea. Born in 1912, he was arrested in 1945 during the Japanese occupation in World War II. He was killed by lethal injection while in prison.

As the war drew to a close and the Japanese army was more than likely to be defeated, the Japanese authorities sought to gain favour with the Papuans and revived customs from the past. One of them was polygamy. This led Peter To Rot to campaign against this practice, and he confronted men in positions of power wanting to have access to women who were already married. This, and his ongoing work as a catechist, led to his arrest and detention.

Pope Leo also confirmed that six other blesseds will be canonised on October 19. The group includes men and women from five countries, among them martyrs, founders of religious congregations and laypeople recognised for their heroic virtue and service.

The canonisation of Blessed Carlo had originally been scheduled for April 27, the Second Sunday of Easter, to coincide with the Jubilee of Teenagers. Blessed Pier Giorgio’s canonisation had been set for August 3, the culmination of the Jubilee for Youth.

The postponement of Blessed Carlo’s canonisation was announced on the day of Pope Francis’ death, April 21, and it was widely assumed that Blessed Pier Giorgio’s canonisation would similarly be delayed.

Blessed Carlo, an Italian who died from leukemia in 2006 aged 15, was known for his devotion to the Eucharist and for creating an online exhibition of Eucharistic miracles. He used his technology skills to evangelise and was noted for his joyful faith and compassion for others.

Blessed Pier Giorgio, born in 1901 into a prominent family in Turin, Italy, was admired for his deep spirituality, love for the poor and enthusiasm for life. A member of the Dominican Third Order, he served the sick through the St Vincent de Paul Society. He died at age 24 after contracting polio, possibly from one of the people he assisted.

FULL STORY

Peter To Rot: A saint, fruit of a shared mission (By Javier Trapero/Vatican News)

Pope sets Sept. 7 for joint canonization of Blesseds Acutis and Frassati | USCCB (CNS)

Peter To Rot to be canonised on Mission Sunday (Fides)