Born in 1803 in France, St. Peter was an intelligent and pious child who gained the attention of his parish priest who secured him a solid education.

St. Peter desired to serve as a  missionary so, in 1831, he joined the Society of Mary (Marists) which concentrated on mission work both in France and abroad. Although he was a Marist, he was asked to teach at the seminary for five years before he could go on a mission.

In 1836, St. Peter was appointed Superior of a team of missionaries and sent to Futuna island (about 1,300 miles northwest of New Zealand) where the natives and their king Niuliki welcomed them.

The island followed a pagan culture where the king served as both sovereign and high priest. Once St. Peter and his fellow missionaries learned the native language, they preached the word of God. Eventually, the king’s own son desired to be baptized. This angered the king, and upon his orders, a team of warriors seized St. Peter and killed him.

Within months of St. Peter’s death the entire island converted to Christianity.

Other Saints of the Day:
St. Menander of Prusa
St. Eusebius of Languedoc
St. Valeria of Milan