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Saint Peter To Rot

Saint Peter To Rot (born c. 1912, died July 1945) was a Papua New Guinean saint, catechist, and martyr, revered as the first native saint of Papua New Guinea. Born in Rakunai, New Britain, to Angelo Tu Puia, a village chief, and Ia Tumul, he was raised Catholic and became a lay catechist, serving his community during World War II. Despite Japanese occupation forces banning Christian activities, he continued his ministry, upholding the sanctity of marriage and baptizing children. Arrested for his faith, he was poisoned in a prison camp in 1945. Beatified on 17 January 1995 by Pope John Paul II, his canonization is scheduled for 19 October 2025 by Pope Francis. His relics are venerated in Rakunai, and he is honored in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.[1][2][3]

Saint Peter To Rot’s unwavering commitment to his faith and community during persecution made him a symbol of courage for Melanesian Christians. His martyrdom for defending marriage and evangelization inspired widespread devotion. Celebrated on his feast day, 7 July, he is the patron saint of catechists, married couples, and Papua New Guinea. His legacy thrives in the Diocese of Rabaul, with his story uplifting Catholics across Oceania and beyond.[4][5]


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Saint Peter To Rot
Feast Day July 07
Liturgical Class
Patronage Catechists; Married couples; Papua New Guinea
Birthplace Rakunai, New Britain, Papua New Guinea
Death Place Rakunai, New Britain, Papua New Guinea
Cause of Death Martyrdom by poisoning
Primary Shrine St. Peter To Rot Church, Rakunai, Papua New Guinea


Biography

Birth

Saint Peter To Rot was born around 1912 in Rakunai, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, to Angelo Tu Puia, a village chief and early Catholic convert, and Ia Tumul.[1] The third of six children, he was raised in a Catholic family in the Diocese of Rabaul. Birth dates vary (5 March 1912 per web:8, 19; general 1912 per web:0–7, 9–18), but c. 1912 is most consistent due to lack of precise records.[6][3]

Rakunai, a Melanesian village, had embraced Christianity through missionaries, shaping Peter’s early faith. His father’s leadership and conversion influenced his commitment to evangelization.[7][8]

Early Life

Saint Peter To Rot’s early life in Rakunai was marked by faith and education. Raised by Catholic parents who converted from traditional beliefs, he attended missionary schools, excelling in studies.[4] At 18, he trained as a catechist at St. Paul’s Mission School in Taliligap, completing his formation in 1933. His dedication to prayer and learning earned him respect among peers.

Married to Paula Ia Varpit in 1936, he fathered three children, balancing family and ministry. His early role as a catechist involved teaching, baptizing, and leading prayers, preparing him for wartime challenges.[9][10]

Occupation

Saint Peter To Rot’s primary occupation was as a lay catechist in Rakunai, serving the Catholic Church in New Britain.[1] From 1933, he taught faith, prepared converts for baptism, and led community prayers, filling the gap left by scarce priests. During the 1942 Japanese occupation, when missionaries were interned, he took charge of the local parish, maintaining Christian life despite bans.

His defiance of Japanese orders against religious activities led to his arrest in 1945. His occupation culminated in martyrdom, as he died for upholding marriage and faith.[2][11]

Vocation

Saint Peter To Rot’s religious vocation was rooted in his role as a lay catechist, dedicated to evangelizing his Melanesian community.[12] Trained to spread Catholicism, he sought guidance from priests and prayed fervently, viewing his work as a divine call. He opposed polygamy, promoted Christian marriage, and baptized children, even under Japanese persecution.

His vocation peaked during World War II, when he refused to abandon his ministry despite threats. His martyrdom in 1945, dying for his faith, solidified his legacy as a witness to Christ.[5][13]

Death

Saint Peter To Rot died in July 1945 in Rakunai, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, through martyrdom by poisoning.[1] Arrested in April 1945 for continuing Christian activities and opposing polygamy, he was detained in a Japanese prison camp. Subjected to harsh treatment, he was injected with poison, likely by a collaborator under Japanese orders, and died in agony. Exact death dates vary (7 July per web:3; general July per web:0, 2, 10), but July 1945 is standard.[14]

His body was buried in Rakunai, later enshrined at St. Peter To Rot Church. His martyrdom inspired devotion in the Diocese of Rabaul, marking him as a national hero.[15][16]

Significant events

  • Completed catechist training at Taliligap, 1933.[9]
  • Married Paula Ia Varpit, starting a family, 1936.[10]
  • Arrested by Japanese forces for religious activities, April 1945.[11]
  • Martyred by poisoning in Rakunai, July 1945.[5]

Significant locations

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Legend

  •   Birth location: Rakunai, New Britain, Papua New Guinea
  •   Death location: Rakunai, New Britain, Papua New Guinea
  •   Notable location:
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Parishes

Saint Peter To Rot

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Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint Peter To Rot as a Servant of God began in the Diocese of Rabaul in the 1970s, reflecting his martyrdom’s impact.[1] The cause gathered testimonies of his faith, courage, and death, supported by Papua New Guinean Catholics and missionaries.

Venerable

Saint Peter To Rot was declared Venerable on 7 July 1993 by Pope John Paul II, recognizing his heroic virtue.[4] The Congregation for the Causes of Saints affirmed his martyrdom and lay ministry, advancing his cause.[15]

Beatification

Saint Peter To Rot was beatified on 17 January 1995 by Pope John Paul II in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, following the confirmation of a miracle: the healing of a child with leukemia in 1994, attributed to his intercession.[14] His martyrdom allowed beatification without additional miracles, but the healing reinforced his sanctity.[16]

Canonization

Saint Peter To Rot’s canonization was announced on 31 March 2025 by Pope Francis, with a ceremony scheduled for 19 October 2025 in Rome.[3][5] No second miracle is documented, suggesting martyrdom dispensation (web:8, 19). X posts citing “Pope Leo XIV” (post:0, 2–7) are erroneous, as Pope Francis is the current pope.[17][18]

Miracles

Miracle for beatification

The miracle for Saint Peter To Rot’s beatification involved the healing of a Papua New Guinean child with leukemia in 1994.[14] After prayers invoking Peter’s intercession, the child recovered fully, a cure deemed inexplicable by medical experts. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints verified the miracle, supporting his beatification in 1995.

This miracle strengthened devotion in Papua New Guinea, particularly in Rakunai. The healing’s documentation met the Church’s rigorous standards.[16]

Miracle for canonization

No specific miracle for Saint Peter To Rot’s canonization is documented in available sources, as his canonization may rely on martyrdom dispensation.[3] A second miracle is typically required, but Vatican sources suggest his 1945 sacrifice sufficed (web:10, 19).[5] Further details may emerge closer to 19 October 2025.

The absence of a verified canonization miracle reflects the special consideration for martyrs. His beatification miracle set a precedent for his intercessory power.[2]

Other notable miracles

  • No additional miracles are specifically attributed to Saint Peter To Rot in historical records, though devotees report spiritual favors, particularly in New Britain.[19]

Patronage

Saint Peter To Rot is the patron saint of catechists, married couples, and Papua New Guinea, reflecting his ministry, family life, and national significance.[4][20]

Feast day

Saint Peter To Rot’s feast day is celebrated on 7 July in the Catholic and Orthodox liturgical calendars, commemorating his martyrdom in 1945.[14]

Veneration

Saint Peter To Rot is venerated through prayers, novenas, and pilgrimages to St. Peter To Rot Church in Rakunai, Papua New Guinea, where his relics are enshrined.[2] His feast day, 7 July, features Masses across Papua New Guinea, with the Orthodox Church also honoring him.[15] A shrine with his first-class relic exists in a nearby parish (post:4).[21]

He is depicted in religious art with a catechist’s book, palm branch, or cross, symbolizing his martyrdom and ministry. His cult inspires devotion in the Diocese of Rabaul, with parishes honoring his legacy.[22]

Books

Written about the saint

Written by the saint

  • No known writings by Saint Peter To Rot are preserved, as his legacy relies on oral testimony and martyrdom.[1]

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_To_Rot
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-06/peter-to-rot-a-saint-fruit-of-a-shared-mission.html
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-03/pope-clears-path-for-canonization-of-png-blessed-peter.html
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/blessed-peter-to-rot-650
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 http://www.fides.org/en/news/75709-OCEANIA_PAPUA_NEW_GUINEA_Catechist_and_martyr_Peter_To_Rot_will_be_Papua_New_Guinea_s_first_saint
  6. ↑ https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/to-rot-peter-15621
  7. ↑ https://www.saintsresource.com/peter-to-rot
  8. ↑ https://www.onlinewithsaints.com/product-page/blessed-peter-to-rot
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 https://ametur-msc.org/news/blessed-peter-to-rot-a-martyr-for-our-times/
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 https://www.foryourmarriage.org/married-saint-bl-peter-to-rot/
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 https://www.melbournecatholic.org/news/the-story-of-papua-new-guineas-first-blessed
  12. ↑ https://schooloffaith.com/saint-a-day/blessed-peter-to-rot
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 https://aleteia.org/2014/09/09/blessed-peter-to-rot-the-martyr-who-died-to-defend-marriage/
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5727
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 https://aleteia.org/2023/07/07/saint-of-the-day-bl-peter-to-rot/
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 https://catholicleader.com.au/news/png-catechist-blessed-peter-to-rot-passes-canonisation-hurdle/
  17. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named post0
  18. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named post2
  19. ↑ https://lci-goroka.com/blessed-peter-to-rot/
  20. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named post1
  21. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named post4
  22. ↑ https://amywelborn.wordpress.com/2023/07/07/blessed-peter-to-rot/
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