St. Lorenzo Ruiz

Patron Saint of Filipino people and the Philippines

St. Lorenzo Ruiz was born in Manila, Philippines to a Chinese father and a Filipino mother. He was a professional calligrapher. His life drastically changed when he was falsely accused of murder. He sought and found comfort in three Dominican priests who allowed him to travel with them. Upon arriving in Japan, Lorenzo and the Dominican priests faced great persecution from the Japanese authorities but they decided to remain in Japan, committed to their ministry. St. Lorenzo Ruiz was hanged to death upside down. He was canonized in 1987 by Pope St. John Paul II, becoming the first martyr of the Philippines.