The Filipino community will celebrate the feast day of the first Filipino saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz on Saturday, September 24th at the 5:15pm Mass.  St. Lorenzo Ruiz is the first Filipino saint and the first Filipino martyred for the Christian faith.  Originally from Binondo, Manilla, he was martyred in Nagasaki, Japan on September 29, 1637.  His feast day is Sept. 28th.

“I am a Catholic and I will remain a Catholic even to the point of death.  Only to God I will offer my life.  Even if I had a thousand lives, I will still offer them to Him.” - St. Lorenzo
  O, most merciful and Almighty God, you bestowed as gift to San Lorenzo Ruiz the strength to withstand the overpowering forces of death for the sake of his faith in You.  Through his prayers, help us to follow his example by overcoming all life's trials and eventually, increase our hope and love in You.  O, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, you brought honor to your country having been a level-headed and prudent father of the family, a witness of Christ in your life until your death.  We present all our prayers to God through your help so that by our actions, we may know more and love more Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  We humbly implore your intercession O dear St. Lorenzo.  For the infinite glory of God and in the honor of your triumph as a martyr of Christ and defender of Christianity.  Amen.