SAINT LORENZO RUIZ
Born in 17th century Manila to an ethnic Chinese father and ethnic Tagalog mother, San Lorenzo went into loyally serving the Catholic church and the faith. However, in 1636 he was falsely accused of a crime. Aided by several other priests, they sailed to Japan to serve the Catholic communities there.
But under the Japanese Shogunate, Christianity was violently suppressed. Because of his faith, San Lorenzo was arrested and tortured. However, through all the suffering, he refused to renounce his faith. He died a martyr in 1637. His martyrdom led him to being canonized. San Lorenzo Ruiz is the patron saint of the Philippines, Filipino youth, Filipino altar servers, Filipino overseas workers, Chinese Filipinos, migrant workers, immigrants, and poor families. As the patron saint of Kawan at UCLA, his persistence, perseverance, and dedication to the faith inspires us, the Student Association of Pilipino Catholics, to passionately serve our community during the best and worst of times. |