Logo of declaration as saint of Pedro reflects martyr’s life

CHURCH officials designed the logo for the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod based on the first Visayan martyr’s life and sacrifice.

The logo contains the official image of Calungsod in comic art form, symbols of his martyrdom, and places that were significant to him.

Church officials used a palm to depict Calungsod’s martyrdom, and placed the maps of Cebu and Guam on it. The red cross at the tip of the palm symbolizes Calungsod’s sacrifice.

The logo also contains the years 1672, the year of his martyrdom, and 2012, the year of his canonization.

The same symbols will be placed on the templete, the structure where the National Thanksgiving Mass would be celebrated at the South Road Properties.

Catechist

Calungsod was a teenage Catholic lay person who served the Jesuit Mission in the Marianas as a catechist and helper from June 16, 1668 until his death on April 2, 1672.

Calungsod was killed together with Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores for Christianizing Mariana natives.

San Vitores was beatified on Oct. 6, 1985 while Calungsod was beatified on March 5, 2000 by Blessed Pope John Paul II.

Calungsod will be declared a saint, together with six other blessed persons, by Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 21, 2012.

The activities lined up for the celebration include the groundbreaking for the templete next month and the national pilgrimage in October, where Calungsod’s image will visit dioceses all over the country.