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He left the Philippines on 10 June 1636 with the aid of the Dominican
Fathers and Sr. Domingo Gonzales.
In Japan, Christians were persecuted and put to death. St. Lorenzo Ruiz
together with his imprisoned companions were captured and brought to
Nagasaki around 10 July 1636. There they suffered incredible torture as
they were hung by their feet and submerged in water till they neared death.
They also suffered 'water torture' which brought some of St. Lorenzo's
companions to recant their faith. Needles were pressed in between their
finger nails and skin and they were beaten unconscious. St. Lorenzo never
lost his faith.
He was beatified by Pope John Paul II during the Papal visit to Manila on 18
February 1981. St. Lorenzo Ruiz was elevated to sainthood and received
canonization on 18 October 1987 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in
Vatican City, Rome.
St. Lorenzo Ruiz was a layman, with two sons and a daughter. He is
recognized as the first Filipino Saint and Martyr.
His story as his life is so much more then the forementioned summary of
events. Yet, his life stands simply for love, having true unyielding belief
and faith in God.
For everyday Christians and Catholics around the world his life is a story of
an ordinary person willing to give his life for God. But on a daily basis his
life is a constant symbol of how we should never lose faith in God nor ever
be afraid of meeting our Father.