Blessed Peter Donders
Dutch priest who served slaves, indigenous people and lepers in Suriname
- Rank
- Blessed
- Kind
- Priest, Missionary
- Life
- 1809 – 1887
- Era
- 19th century
- Feast
- 14 January
- Countries
- Netherlands, Suriname
Life story
Peter Donders was born on 27 October 1809 in Tilburg, then part of the Kingdom of Holland. He entered the seminary at Haaren in 1837 to study theology and was ordained a priest in 1841. On 16 September 1842 he arrived in Paramaribo, the capital of the Dutch colony of Suriname in South America.
He served there as a chaplain for 14 years. In 1856 he was appointed pastor at Batavia, where a leprosy settlement stood. From then on, care for people with leprosy became the heart of his life. He is also remembered for his work among the indigenous peoples and the enslaved population of the colony, and was later called the Apostle of the Indians and Lepers.
In 1883 he was transferred to Paramaribo and then to Coronie, and he returned to Batavia in November 1885. He joined the Redemptorists when he was already well along in years: he joined the congregation in 1866, when the Redemptorists reached Suriname, and made his vows on 24 June 1867.
He died on 14 January 1887 at Batavia, aged 77. On 23 May 1982 Pope John Paul II beatified him in St Peter's Square. The beatification followed the Church's recognition of a healing attributed to his intercession.
Works and witness
- Arrived in Paramaribo, Suriname in September 1842 and served as chaplain for 14 years
- Pastor at Batavia from 1856, caring for the leprosy settlement
- Received the Redemptorist habit in 1866 and took final vows in 1867
- Beatified on 23 May 1982
Saints from the same country
References
- Redemptorists of Canada, "Blessed Peter Donders" (redemptorists.ca)
- Beatification of Peter Donders by John Paul II, 23 May 1982
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.