Story of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz | Stories of Saints for Kids | EP84

Christian Family TV

15 Aug 202009:53

Summary

TLDRSaint Lorenzo Ruiz, a Chinese-Filipino Catholic, became the Philippines' first martyr after his execution in Japan during the 17th-century persecution of Christians. Born in Manila, he was multilingual and served as a clerk and unofficial Dominican messenger. Implicated in a murder, he fled to Japan unknowingly joining a secret mission, leading to his arrest and torture. Despite the offer to renounce his faith for freedom, he remained steadfast, ultimately dying a martyr's death. He is now the patron saint of Filipino youth, overseas workers, and altar servers.

Takeaways

🙏 Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is a Filipino saint recognized in the Catholic Church.
🌐 He was of Chinese-Filipino descent and became the country's first martyr.
📚 Born around 1600, he was multilingual, speaking Tagalog, Spanish, and Chinese.
🏫 He was educated by Dominican friars and served as an altar boy.
🔍 Lorenzo was a skilled calligrapher and clerk, known for his honesty.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 He was married with three children and maintained close ties with the Dominicans.
🚨 Accused of murder, he fled to avoid an unfair trial under Spanish colonial rule.
🚢 Unknowingly, he joined a secret missionary to Japan, thinking he was going to Macau.
🔒 Upon arrival in Japan, he and the missionaries were arrested and tortured.
❌ Despite the emperor's offer, they refused to renounce their faith.
💔 Lorenzo and the other missionaries were executed for their steadfast beliefs.

Q & A

Who is Saint Lorenzo Ruiz?
-Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is a Filipino saint venerated in the Catholic Church, known as the country's proto-martyr after his execution in Japan during the 17th century persecution of Japanese Christians.
What was Lorenzo Ruiz's background?
-Lorenzo Ruiz was a Chinese-Filipino born around 1600 in Manila to a Catholic Chinese and Filipino couple. He was taught Chinese by his father and Tagalog by his mother.
How many languages did Lorenzo Ruiz speak?
-Lorenzo Ruiz spoke three languages: Tagalog, Spanish, and Chinese.
What was Lorenzo Ruiz's profession?
-Lorenzo Ruiz was a professional calligrapher and a clerk, inspired by the Dominicans who taught him Spanish and how to read and write.
Why did Lorenzo Ruiz join the confraternity of the Holy Rosary?
-Lorenzo Ruiz was inspired by the Dominicans, who noticed his honesty and trustworthiness, and eventually made him their unofficial messenger.
What happened to Lorenzo Ruiz that led him to flee his home?
-Lorenzo Ruiz was implicated in the murder of a Spaniard and, knowing the colonial inequality of the courts, decided to leave his home to seek a safe place to hide.
How did Lorenzo Ruiz end up in Japan?
-Lorenzo Ruiz confided his problem to Father Domingo Gonzalez, a Dominican priest, who allowed him to board their ship, which was part of a secret missionary to Japan.
What was the persecution faced by the missionaries in Japan?
-The missionaries were arrested and thrown into prison due to a violent persecution against Christians enforced by Emperor Tokugawa Yamitsu to prevent the spread of Christianity in Japan.
What was the offer given to the missionaries by the Emperor of Japan?
-The Emperor offered the missionaries to leave Japan as long as they were willing to renounce their faith.
How did Lorenzo Ruiz react to the torture he witnessed?
-Initially terrified, Lorenzo Ruiz found relief and courage after praying the rosary and started comforting his companions in jail, asking them to have faith in the Lord's grand plan.
What is the most notable miracle attributed to Saint Lorenzo Ruiz?
-The most notable miracle attributed to Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is the healing of a two-year-old girl, Cecilia Allegria Polycarpio, suffering from a rare brain disease, after her family and supporters prayed to Ruiz for his intercession.
When and where was Lorenzo Ruiz beatified?
-Lorenzo Ruiz was beatified by Pope John Paul II on February 18, 1981, in the Philippines, marking the first beatification ceremony held outside the Vatican.
Who is Saint Lorenzo Ruiz the patron saint of?
-Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is the patron saint of Filipino youth, the Philippines people working overseas, and altar servers.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 The Life and Persecution of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, a Chinese-Filipino, is revered as the Philippines' first martyr. Born around 1600 in Manila, he was multilingual due to Spanish rule and his parents' Chinese and Filipino heritage. Lorenzo was well-educated, becoming a professional calligrapher and clerk, and was admired for his honesty and trustworthiness. He married Rosario and had three children, leading a peaceful life until he was implicated in a murder and fled to Japan on a secret missionary ship. Upon arrival, he and the missionaries were arrested and subjected to brutal torture under the Tokugawa shogunate's persecution of Christians.

05:01

🙏 Trials and Martyrdom of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz

In Nagasaki, the missionaries faced trials and torture for their Christian faith. Emperor Tokugawa offered them freedom if they renounced their faith, but they refused, leading to their execution. Lorenzo, despite witnessing the torture of others, found courage through prayer and comforted his companions. He was subjected to water torture and was hung upside down but remained steadfast, refusing to renounce his faith even when offered mercy. Lorenzo and the other missionaries died from bleeding and suffocation. Lorenzo was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1981 and canonized in 1987. He is the patron saint of Filipino youth, overseas workers, and altar servers.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Saint Lorenzo Ruiz

Saint Lorenzo Ruiz was a Filipino saint venerated in the Catholic Church. He is considered the Philippines' proto-martyr due to his execution in Japan during the 17th century's persecution of Christians. The video's narrative centers around his life, faith, and ultimate martyrdom, making him a central figure and symbol of religious devotion and sacrifice.

💡Catholic Church

The Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination, and it plays a significant role in the video as the religious institution that venerates Saint Lorenzo Ruiz. His sainthood and the miracles attributed to him are part of the Church's tradition of recognizing exceptional piety and martyrdom.

💡Proto-martyr

The term 'proto-martyr' refers to the first martyr of a particular group or place. In the video, Lorenzo Ruiz is described as the Philippines' proto-martyr, highlighting his significance as the first Filipino saint to be recognized for his martyrdom, which adds to the cultural and religious pride of the Filipino people.

💡Tokugawa Shogunate

The Tokugawa Shogunate was a feudal military government of Japan that ruled during the Edo period. In the video, it is mentioned as the authority responsible for the persecution and execution of Japanese Christians, including Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, emphasizing the historical context of religious intolerance.

💡Confraternity of the Holy Rosary

The Confraternity of the Holy Rosary is a lay association of the faithful in the Catholic Church, dedicated to the veneration of the Virgin Mary. Lorenzo Ruiz joined this confraternity, which is depicted in the video as part of his deep devotion and commitment to his faith.

💡Calligrapher

A calligrapher is a professional artist who creates visual art using lettering and typography. Lorenzo Ruiz became a professional calligrapher, as mentioned in the video, which not only reflects his skills but also his cultural and artistic contributions.

💡Martyrdom

Martyrdom refers to the act of suffering persecution and death for one's religious beliefs. The video highlights Saint Lorenzo Ruiz's martyrdom as the climax of his story, illustrating the ultimate sacrifice made in the name of faith.

💡Torture

Torture is the act of inflicting severe physical pain as a means of punishment or coercion. The video describes the various forms of torture endured by Saint Lorenzo Ruiz and the other missionaries, emphasizing the cruelty they faced and their unwavering faith.

💡Canonization

Canonization is the process by which the Catholic Church declares a deceased person to be a saint. The video mentions the canonization of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz by Pope John Paul II, marking his official recognition as a saint and a model of holiness.

💡Patron Saint

A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the protector or intermediary for a particular group of people or cause. Saint Lorenzo Ruiz is the patron saint of Filipino youth, overseas workers, and altar servers, as stated in the video, signifying his special role in providing guidance and intercession.

💡Miracles

Miracles are extraordinary events manifesting divine intervention. The video recounts a miracle attributed to Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, involving the healing of a young girl, which serves to validate his sanctity and the power of his intercession.

Highlights

St. Lorenzo Ruiz is a Filipino saint venerated in the Catholic Church.

He became the country's proto-martyr after his execution in Japan.

Lorenzo was a Chinese-Filipino born around 1600 in Manila.

He was fluent in Tagalog, Spanish, and Chinese due to his heritage and the Spanish rule.

Lorenzo was a professional calligrapher and clerk, known for his honesty and trustworthiness.

He was a member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary and served as a messenger for Dominican friars.

Lorenzo married a Filipino woman and had three children.

He was implicated in a murder and fled to avoid an unfair trial under Spanish law.

Lorenzo confided in a Dominican priest and joined a secret missionary to Japan.

The missionaries were arrested upon landing in Japan for the persecution of Christians.

They faced trial by torture and were offered freedom if they renounced their faith.

Lorenzo and the missionaries refused to renounce their faith, leading to their execution.

During torture, Lorenzo found courage through prayer and comforted his companions.

Lorenzo Ruiz was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1981, the first beatification outside the Vatican.

He was canonized in 1987, becoming the first Filipino saint.

St. Lorenzo Ruiz is the patron saint of Filipino youth, overseas workers, and altar servers.

Miracles are attributed to St. Lorenzo, including the healing of a two-year-old girl with a brain disease.