Peter Claver
Peter Claver (26 June 1580 – 8 September 1654) was a Spanish Jesuit priest and missionary born in Verdú, Spain, Spanish Empire, who, due to his life and work, became the patron saint of slaves, Colombia, and ministry to African Americans.
During the 40 years of his ministry in the New Kingdom of Granada, it is estimated he personally baptized around 300,000 people and heard the confessions of over 5,000 people per year. He is also patron saint for seafarers. He is considered a heroic example of what should be the Christian praxis of love and of the exercise of human rights.
The Congress of Colombia declared September 9 as the National Day of Human Rights in his honor.
Patron saint of Slaves; Colombia; race relations; ministry to African Americans; seafarers
In the Martyrology
- September 8 Birth of Saint Peter Claver, priest
- September 9 Saint Peter Claver, Jesuit priest