San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila

San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila (c. 1600- September 29, 1637), was born in Binondo, Manila,
Philippines. His Chinese Father and Filipino mother were Catholic. Lorenzo served at the convent of Binondo Church as an altar boy. After a few years Lorenzo earned the title “escribano” (notary). He became a member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary. He was working as a clerk in Binondo Church when he was falsely accused of killing a Spaniard in 1636. Lorenzo sought asylum on board a ship with three Dominican priests, a Japanese priest, and a layman. The boat landed in Okinawa, Japan and the group was arrested on the basis of their Christian religion. They were tortured by the Japanese, but did not denounce their faith, and died as martyrs.
Lorenzo Ruiz was beatified in Manila on February 18, 1981 by Pope John Paul II and he canonized Lorenzo on October 18, 1987. Lorenzo is the first Filipino saint and his beatification was the first one outside of the Vatican.

A novena to San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the first Filipino Saint, has started and will continue every Sunday after the Tagalog Mass. 
The Feast Day is on Sunday, September 28 and will be celebrated during the 5 pm Tagalog Mass. Everyone is invited.