Saint Peter Sanz

Life story

Peter Sanz (Pere Sans i Jordà) was born on 22 September 1680 at Ascó in Catalonia, Spain. He made his Dominican vows at Lleida in 1697 and was ordained a priest in 1704. In 1713 he was sent to Manila to prepare for China, where he studied Chinese for about two years before entering the mainland.

He worked as a missionary in Fujian for about thirty-one years before his capture. In 1730 he was named vicar apostolic of Fujian and titular bishop of Mauricastro. In the renewed persecution of 1746 he was arrested with four other Dominicans; they were held and tortured at Fuzhou, and in December 1746 all were sentenced to death.

Bishop Sanz was beheaded at Fuzhou on 26 May 1747 (a Dominican source gives 25 May). His companions, Bishop Francis Serrano and the priests John Alcober, Joachim Royo and Francis Díaz, were executed afterwards, in 1748. Pope Leo XIII beatified him on 14 May 1893, and Pope John Paul II canonized him on 1 October 2000 among the Martyr Saints of China.

Works and witness

• Took Dominican vows in 1697 and was ordained in 1704
• Sent to Manila in 1713, studied Chinese and entered China
• Named vicar apostolic of Fujian and bishop in 1730
• Arrested in the persecution of 1746 and sentenced to death in December 1746
• Beheaded at Fuzhou on 26 May 1747

Saints from the same country

Saint Dominic, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Francis Xavier

References

• Order of Preachers, “Blessed Peter Sanz & Companions” (orderofpreachersindependent.org) – born 22 September 1680 at Ascó, vows at Lérida 1697, ordained 1704, Manila 1713, vicar apostolic and bishop of Mauricastro 1730, sentenced December 1746, beheaded 25/26 May 1747
• Holy See, list of the Martyrs of China canonized 1 October 2000 (vatican.va) – martyred 1747 at Fuzhou
• Wikipedia (English), “Peter Sanz” and “Martyr Saints of China” – companions executed 28 October 1748

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.