Saint Peter Chanel

I was born in 1803, in France. My interest in the missions began in school, when I read about missionaries. After being ordained as a priest, I revitalized a parish by simply showing great devotion to the sick people. When I was 28 years old, I joined the Society of Mary, the Marists. I taught in the seminary for five years. After these assignments, I traveled as a missionary to Fiji, in Western Oceania. First, I struggled with the new language and it took me time to master it. I also made the difficult adaption to life with traders and natives. Despite little success, I maintained my gentle spirit, patience and courage. Eventually, a few natives were baptized, and some others were being instructed. The king first welcomed us with joy. But when his son asked to be baptised, he started to perecute us missionaries. I was captured and sentenced to death.