The shepherd who became the seed
He grew up in the Burgundy hills, tending sheep in the village of Cuet near Belley until the parish priest, struck by the boy's intelligence and quiet piety, took him into his school. Ordained in 1827, Peter Chanel served three years in a difficult country parish before joining the newly founded Society of Mary in 1831, drawn to its Marian and missionary spirit. In 1836 he sailed with Bishop Pompallier and a small Marist band for the Pacific, and was set ashore on Futuna — a volcanic island only just emerged from the practice of cannibalism — where the chief Niuliki ruled.
Three years of patient labor followed: learning the Futunan tongue, nursing the sick, baptizing infants, speaking softly of Christ. When the chief's own son Meitala asked for baptism, Niuliki sent his son-in-law Musumusu with a band of warriors. On April 28, 1841, they clubbed Peter Chanel to death; he was thirty-seven. Within a year, Futuna and her chief had received the Faith. Pope Pius XII canonized him in 1954, the first martyr of Oceania.
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who keep the heavenly birthday of blessed Peter, Thy Martyr, may, by his intercession, be strengthened in the love of Thy Name. Saint Peter Chanel, apostle to Futuna, pray for us. Protomartyr of Oceania, pray for us. Faithful son of Mary, who didst preach with the gentleness of a shepherd, pray for us. That the blood thou didst shed in those far islands may yet bear fruit a hundredfold in our day, intercede for us before the Lamb. Through Christ our Lord. — Amen