Lorenzo Ruiz is the first Chinese Filipino saint. He was martyred during persecution of Japanese Christians under the Tokugawa Shogunate in the 17th century.

SAINT LORENZO RUIZ

Lorenzo Ruiz was born in Binondo, Manila, and was of mixed Chinese and Filipino descent. Ruiz served as an altar boy at the convent of Binondo church and was educated by the Dominican friars. In 1636, while working as a clerk at the Binondo Church, Ruiz was falsely accused of killing a Spaniard. Ruiz sought asylum on board a ship with three Dominican priests which set sail for Japan in June 1636.

The boat landed at Okinawa and the group was arrested and persecuted because of their Christian religion. They were brought to Nagasaki on 10 July 1636. They were tortured through hanging by their feet, by submerging in water until near death, and by water torture. Needles were also inserted under their finger nails and they were beaten until unconscious. These methods made some of Ruiz's companions recant their faith, but Ruiz never did.

On 27 September 1637, Ruiz and his companions were taken to the "Mountain of Martyrs", where they were hung upside down into a pit. This mode of torture was considered as the most painful way to die at the time because it involved the use of rocks to add weight to the person being punished. The individual being tortured suffocated quickly while being crushed by his own weight.

c.1600

to 29 September 1637

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Lorenzo Ruiz (together with fifteen companions who suffered the same fate) were beatified in Manila on 18 February 1981 by Pope John Paul II during his Papal visit to Manila, the first beatification ceremony held outside the Vatican. Lorenzo Ruiz was elevated to Sainthood and canonized by Pope John Paul II in the Vatican City, Rome on 18 October 1987 making him the first Filipino saint and the first Filipino martyr.

Beatification of Lorenzo Ruiz (in 1981)

#1628 and 1629, 3 Feb 1983