Feast of Peter Chanel

Today we celebrate the feast of Peter Chanel, patron of Oceania and of Aotearoa, New Zealand. To set the missionary tone, the first reading of the feastday is from Acts 9:1-20, which recounts the story of the conversion of St Paul. Peter Chanel's calling was not as dramatic for from an early age he had a strong desire to become an overseas missionary. He was born in France in 1803 and was ordained for his diocese in 1827. He asked the Bishop to let him go overseas but instead he was sent to a very run down parish where he worked for 3 years building it up. Then he heard of a group of diocesan priests planning to form a religious order dedicated to Mary. He joined hoping to go overseas but instead was sent as spirirtual director to the new seminary. In 1836, a group of 7 including Peter Chanel and Bishop Pompelier left France and after a long and difficult journey, Peter and a brother were left in Futuna. It was slow going learning the language and culture but eventually some converts were made. But trouble began when the king's son Meitala asked for baptism. King Niulike was very angry and sent a warrior, Musumusu who murdered Peter. Bishop Pompellier got a French naval boat to bring the remains to Kororareka in Aotearoa where they remained for 5 years before being taken to France. They were returned to Futuna in 1977. Peter Chanel was canonized in 1954. Most of the people in Futuna were converted including Musumusu, whose great grandson became a priest. May our patron, St Peter Chanel guard the church in New Zealand and all of Oceania with his protection. Amen.
 
Don Hornsey
 

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