The “Prayer to St. Lorenzo Ruiz“ honors the first Filipino saint and martyr. St. Lorenzo Ruiz (San Lorenzo) was born in Manila in 1594 to a Chinese father and Filipino mother, and served as an altar boy and worked as a skilled calligrapher for the Dominican friars. A devoted family man with three children, Lorenzo was falsely accused of murder and fled the Philippines with Dominican missionaries bound for Japan.
During Japan’s brutal persecution of Christians, Lorenzo and his companions were captured, tortured for two years, and ultimately executed by being hung upside down in 1637. Despite facing death, he courageously declared his unwavering faith in Christ. Pope John Paul II canonized him in 1987. St. Lorenzo Ruiz is the patron saint of the Philippines, Filipino youth, and overseas workers. His feast day is September 28th.
Get the scoop → “St. Lorenzo Ruiz: The First Filipino Saint & Martyr”
Prayer to St. Lorenzo Ruiz (San Lorenzo)
O most merciful and almighty God,
You bestowed as gift to Lorenzo Ruiz
The strength to withstand
The overpowering forces of death
For the sake of his faith in You.
Through his prayers,
Help us to follow his example
By overcoming all life’s trials
And eventually, increase
Our hope and love in You.
O St. Lorenzo Ruiz,
You brought honor to your country,
Having been a level-headed
And prudent father of the family,
A witness of Christ in your life
Until your death.
We present all our petitions
To God through your help
So that, by our actions,
We may know more, and love more,
Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
We humbly implore your intercession, dear St. Lorenzo,
For the infinite glory of God,
And in honor of your triumph
As a martyr of Christ
And defender of Christianity.
Amen.