St. Peter Claver Memorial St. Peter Claver was born on June 26, 1581 in Spain. He entered the Society of Jesus at the age of 20. While studying theology, he was influenced by St. Alphonsus Rodriguez to do work among the slaves, and in 1610, he went to Cartagena (modern Columbia), which was the principal slave market of that time. When a ship enters the port with slaves, he used to enter the ship and offer refreshments to the slaves and also used to care the sick and the dying among the slaves. Due to his efforts, about three hundred persons were converted to Christianity. During his later years in life he was suffering from Parkinson\'s disease and a former slave was hired to look after Peter Claver by his Superior. But the care-taker ill-treated him and made to starve. But he never complained about the bad treatment meted out to him and suffered for four years. He died on September 8, 1654. He was beatified by Pope Pius-IX on July 16, 1851 and canonized by Pope Leo-XIII on January 15, 1888. He was declared as the patron of missionary work and also patron of slaves. #catholic #Christian #world #peace #love #serve #mission #missionary #faith #trust #hope #slave #nurse