Born in Spain in 1580, Peter Claver first encountered the Jesuits in Barcelona during his university studies. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1602. After studying for some time on the island of Majorca, he offered himself to go to the missions. The provincial sent him to Colombia in 1610. After he finished his study of theology in the city of Bogotá, Claver went to the city of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast where he was ordained a priest in 1616 and where he would spend the rest of his life ministering to slaves who arrived in that port from Africa. Cartagena was one of two Spanish ports designated to receive slaves; an estimated 10,000 of whom passed through the port each year during Claver's time. Accompanied by former slaves as interpreters, Claver would board the ship and met the slave with food on the deck. He then descended into the hold of the ship to care for the sick by cleansing their wounds and applying bandages. He spoke to the slaves about Christ’s good news. Since the slaves only remained in Cartagena for a few days, Claver would quickly prepare them for baptism. When a plague hit Cartagena, Claver died of the disease after caring for the sick. He is the patron saint of salves, African Americans, the African missions, the country of Colombia, and interracial justice.
Our psalm states today: The Lord is compassionate to all his works. Peter Claver exemplified God’s compassion and mercy to those most on the margins. He provides a great an example of God’s love for us. We unite our prayers with his prayers today.
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