Incarnation Catholic Church

The San Fernando Regional Celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz was initiated in 2009 by Sr. Maria Christina Sevilla, RGS in her last year as director of the Office of Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Since then, the tradition continues as different parishes in the San Fernando region take turns hosting this yearly celebration. May the Grace of God be with us in our effort to continue this celebration in the coming years. (Photo/Ron Echual)

Mabuhay ang San Fernando Region Filipino Ministry! San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, pray for us!

BORN: Between 1600-1620 in Binondo, Manila, Philippines
DIED: September 29, 1637 in Nagasaki, Japan

Lorenzo Ruiz served as an altar boy at Binondo Church in Manila after being educated by the Dominican friars for a few years. He earned the title of escribano (calligrapher) because of his skillful penmanship. He became a member of the Confradia del Santissimo Rosario (Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary) and was proficient in Spanish and catechism. He got married and had two sons and a daughter.

He joined a group of Dominicans in their mission to Japan in 1637 where there was already widespread persecution of Christians. Upon arrival, they were put in jail and imprisoned for more than a year. He and his companions were tortured by being hung upside down in a pit on the hills in Nagasaki - a very painful method where they were bound on one hand and the other hand left free so they can signal renunciation. In such cases, they would be freed. Lorenzo refused to renounce Christianity saying, "I will die for God. For Him will I give many thousand lives if I have them. And so, do with me as you please." He died from blood loss and suffocation. His body was cremated and his ashes were thrown into the sea.

Lorenzo Ruiz and his companions were beatified in Manila on February 18, 1981 by Pope John Paul II during his papal visit in Manila - the first beatification ceremony held outside the Vatican. San Lorenzo Ruiz and his companions were canonized by Pope John Paul II in Vatican City, Rome, on October 18, 1987, making him the first Filipino saint and the first Filipino martyr. His feast day is September 28.