| Peter To Rot named as a patron for World Youth Day 2008 |
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| Thursday, 24 April 2008 00:00 | |
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Blessed Peter To Rot was intimately connected to the MSC missions in Papua New Guinea. He was born in 1912 in Rakunai, a village near Rabaul, and excelled in his studies from an early age. In 1930, Peter To Rot began his studies at the Catechist School in Taliligap, which was staffed by the MSC. He returned to Rakunai in 1933 where he taught in the parish school and visited and prayed with the sick. He married Paula Ja Varpit in 1936 and they had three children. In January of 1942, Japanese soldiers landed in Rabaul and sent all the missionaries to the prison camp at Vunapope. Peter To Rot took on the work of Fr. Laufer, MSC, visiting the sick and dying, holding classes for both children and adults, witnessing marriages and encouraging those who were frightened by the war. Later in the war, the Japanese occupiers passed a law saying that a man could take a second wife but Peter To Rot insisted that the villagers follow the Church's teaching and also provided for the care of women who were being abducted to become second wives. He continued to teach the people and lead them in prayer until he and his two brothers were arrested. They were beaten and sentenced to serve time in the prison. Although his brothers were later released, Peter To Rot was kept at the prison where he was found dead one morning after a doctor had come to give him some "medicine" for the cold he had developed. He was given a chief's burial at the new cemetery next to the church where he had ministered and many people attended, although the funeral was held in silence out of fear for what might happen if they prayed out loud and in public. From that day on Peter To Rot has been revered as a martyr for his faith. To learn more about the life and ministry of Blessed Peter To Rot, click here. |
Blessed Peter To Rot has been named as one of ten inspirational saints and blesseds who will be official patrons for