San Pedro Bautista, OFM
THE TITULAR SAINT OF THE OFM PHILIPPINES
by Fr. Andres Rañoa, Jr., OFM
When he came to the Philippines in 1584 from Spain, San Pedro Bautista was assigned in Intramuros. In
1586 as Parish Priest of Lumban, Laguna, he taught church music and the manufacture and use of musical
instruments. As the Custos or superior of the Franciscans, from 1587 he ministered to the Japanese outside
Intramuros through the help of Fray Gonzalo Garcia and gathered the Filipinos into town settlements. In 1590
he established San Francisco del Monte as a hermitage and novitiate. He discovered the medicinal
characteristics of the hot springs of Los Baños. He also strongly defended the basic human rights of the
indigenous peoples of Zambales. It was his firm, moral stand that opened the people`s minds on the value of
life. In 1593 San Pedro Bautista became the Philippines` ambassador to Japan. He averted the emperor`s
impending invasion of the Philippines. With his first companions, he then settled in Miyako and later on in
Nagasaki. They founded hospitals and churches. In 1596 the emperor persecuted the Christians. San Pedro
Bautista and 25 others were raised on crosses and speared to death in Nagasaki on February 5, 1597.As the
custos or superior of the Franciscans, from 1587 he ministered to the Japanese outside Intramuros through the
help of Fray Gonzalo Garcia and gathered the Filipinos into town settlements. In 1590 he established San
Francisco del Monte as a hermitage and novitiate. He discovered the medicinal characteristics of the hot springs
of Los Baños. He also strongly defended the basic human rights of the indigenous peoples of Zambales
Fiesta Theme: San Pedro Bautista messenger of Christ that makes his life the concreteness of Christ message of
hope and wholeness.
Triduum (First Day)
Theme: San Pedro Bautista protector of human rights... to bring wholeness to our life.
INTRODUCTION TO THE CELEBRATION
Lector: San Pedro Bautista was actively involved with the social issues of his day – the issues on taxes, reports
of abuse committed by the government officials. It was said that San Pedro Bautista used to be consulted by the
Governor-General on different Occasions with regards to violent civil outbreaks and certain issues. He was
noted to preach a scathing sermon regarding the injustices by the government. He said that "unless the
government policies were changed, it would lead to open rebellion". San Pedro Bautista also defended the
natives of Zambales (the Aetas) from abuses committed by the government. Equally, He spoke this words “is it
inevitable to inflict pain on the miserable, to ruin the poor, rob towns, rape windows, abuse married woman and
their husbands and commit countless abuses?” He implored the governor-general to put an end to all of these or
he will “shout about them in the street and plazas” to the governor general’s embarrassment. Truly, we can see
how San Pedro Bautista ardently fought for the rights of the little ones, voiceless and poor.
NOVENA PRAYER (after the final prayer)
Priest: Almighty Father,
All: We pray for inner peace of mind, harmony in our families, oneness in our country and of the whole world.
May we learn to love each other as you love all the people you have blessed. San Pedro Bautista, help us to pray
to the Lord for fullness of peace and the complete disappearance of disrespect to human rights due to our
wickedness and cruelty. May we become a people who experience peace and strive to remain in a harmonious
relationship: may we remove hatred and the wounds of anger and resentment in our hearts. May there be peace
in our time so that we may continue to celebrate the love of God and praise him forever
Priest: O Blessed San Pedro Bautista,
All: A valiant soldier of Christ, an apostle of faith, and martyr of Jesus Christ. You are full of courage to speak
out for the protection of human dignity of everyone, especially the poor. We admire your extraordinary virtues
with which God has endowed you, making you a paragon of all virtues for us to emulate. We admire your desire
for sanctity and how you despise the pleasures of the world and embrace the Franciscan way of life. We admire
your ardent missionary spirit which led you to leave your country to preach the gospel in our land. We admire
your burning zeal which strengthened you to endure all kinds of hardships to make known the saving act of
Christ. We admire your strength and constancy in proclaiming the doctrine of Jesus Christ, choosing death on a
cross than to deny our Lord Jesus Christ.
Priest: O Glorious Martyr of Christ,
All: We have chosen you as an advocate to protect human rights. Help us sanctify our efforts and by your
intercession and prayer, for in solitude and you were enraptured many times in heavenly contemplation. Do not
forget us who live on this earth where you lived and who profess the same faith you brought to our forefathers.
From your high place in heaven now, ask our Lord to protect us and look down with mercy upon every one of
us. We promise to proclaim his glory and imitate your virtues that we may become worthy of sharing with you
the eternal bliss of heaven. Amen
Triduum (Second Day)
Theme: San Pedro Bautista Christ's instrument of healing both in bodies and spirit
INTRODUCTION TO THE CELEBRATION
Lector: When San Pedro Bautista learned of the hot springs of Los Baños in the year 1590. He immediately had
the waters analysed by Fray Francisco de Gata, who was skilled in medicine. Upon learning that the Hot
Springs had medicinal properties, they planned to build a hospital there. The hot springs that San Pedro Bautista
had asked to be analysed, became the roots of the famous hospital of Aguas Santas de Mainit, which was in
existence until the early 1700s. The hot springs of Los Baños is still a popular destination up to this date.
Similarly, in 1592, San Pedro Bautista founded a Hospital in the Port of Cavite, Hospital del Espiritu Santo.
NOVENA PRAYER (after the final prayer)
Priest: Dear San Pedro Bautista,
All: During your stay in our country, you built hospitals and you also discovered the effectiveness of hot water
from our healing springs in Los Baños with the help of Fray Francisco de Gata. Pray for us as we await the
mighty healing of Christ our Saviour. Help us not to be discouraged if we are sick. May all who suffer pain and
in sickness be able to consider this as an honour to offer in union with Christ’s suffering for the salvation of all
creation.
Priest: O Blessed San Pedro Bautista,
All: A valiant soldier of Christ, an apostle of faith, and martyr of Jesus Christ. We admire your extraordinary
virtues trying to uplift the health of our people with which God has endowed you, in calling you to be his
instrument to wholeness of health to our people. We admire your desire for sanctity that leads you to embrace
the Franciscan way of life. We admire your ardent charity which led you to find ways to bring healing to our
people in body and spirit. We admire your burning zeal which strengthened you to endure all kinds of hardships
to go out of your way for us. We admire your strength and constancy in proclaiming the doctrine of Jesus
Christ, choosing death on a cross than to deny Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Priest: O Glorious Martyr of Christ,
All: We have chosen you as an advocate in our need for healing of our bodies and spirit. Pray for us as we
remember how happy you were when in solitude and you were enraptured many times in heavenly
contemplation. Do not forget us who live on this earth where you lived and who profess the same faith you
brought to our forefathers. From your high place in heaven, ask our Lord to protect us and look down with
mercy upon every one of us. We promise to proclaim his glory and imitate your virtues that we may become
worthy of sharing with you the eternal bliss of heaven. Amen
Triduum (Third day)
Theme: San Pedro Bautista Troubadour that can bring serenity in the harshness of our life’s journey through
music.
INTRODUCTION TO THE CELEBRATION
Lector: As an excellent musician, San Pedro Bautista’s first assignment as a missionary to the Philippines was
to teach music and plainchant at Namayan, Sta. Ana, Manila. He brought together young adults from across
towns and parishes around Manila and thereafter formed the first choir for the churches. He became the first
instructor of liturgical music for the Filipinos. Upon the elevation of the Custody of San Gregorio to a province,
San Pedro Bautista was named as the Provincial Minister on September 23, 1586. He decreed that all
Franciscan administered parishes should organize choirs as well. Likewise, gathering inspiration from the
natives’ talent and love for music, San Pedro Bautista organized a course in musical training and even
established a factory of musical instruments in Lumban, Laguna.
NOVENA PRAYER (after the final prayer)
Priest: Music is in the spirit of the Franciscan,
All: And it seemed that music, oh San Pedro Bautista is the language of your spirit as you commune with the
Lord, Dear San Pedro Bautista, we pray that we may learn from your example to praise the Almighty God
through the songs that come from our hearts. Help us to pray that whatever gifts the Lord has given and will
give us, we will use in serving our neighbour and turning them into the music of our soul to give greater honour
and glory to God.
Priest: O Blessed San Pedro Bautista,
All: A valiant soldier of Christ, an apostle of faith, and martyr of Jesus Christ. We admire your extraordinary
virtues that in whatever situation you are in, you can sing in praise of God’s goodness and mercy. Truly God
has endowed you, with a troubadour spirit to be a witness of joy in every situation. We admire your desire for
sanctity which inspired you to express into music your experiences of God’s love and follow Saint Francis’s
way of life. We admire your ardent charity which led you to find beauty and grace in every situation; and to
have a passion to sing of God’s love. We admire your burning zeal which strengthened you to endure all kinds
of hardships, to lead us to a higher standard of life. We admire your strength and constancy in proclaiming the
doctrine of Jesus Christ, choosing death on a cross than to deny Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Priest: O Glorious Martyr of Christ,
All: We have chosen you as an advocate in our troubled times so that we can find inner peace and joy as we
continue in our journey in faith. Do not forget us as you commune with God that we may sing of his grace and
mercy. From your high place in heaven, ask our Lord to protect us and look down with mercy upon every one
of us. May we continue to hold on to our faith and proclaim His glory and imitate your virtues and musical
inclinations that we may become worthy of sharing with you the eternal bliss of heaven. Amen
Awit kay San Pedro Bautista
Fray Jovit Malinao, OFM
1. Ikaw ang dakilang patron ng misyong Franciscano;
pinahirapan ka’t kinulong sa bansang Hapon.
(KORO)
O San Pedro Bautista, kami’y tulungan mo;
upang misyo’y matularan, ihayag ang kapayapaan
at ang pag-ibig ni Hesus sa tanang bayan ng Diyos.
2. Kilala ka sa awit pagsamba ng tanang bayan,
taglay mo’y kisig, kababaan, tunay na martir at banal. (KORO)
3. Tunay ka naming kapatid at kaibigan
ang tangan mo’y Mabuting Balita sa mga api’t dukha. (KORO)
4. Kamatayan ay ‘yong tinanggap tanda ng pagmamahal
maraming salamat sa iyo sa turo’t halimbawa mo. (KORO)
sa tanang bayan ng Diyos...
Awit kay san pedro bautista
Koro:
Gloria Gloria san pedro bautista
busilak na bulaklak buhat sa kastilya
Tanyag na sugo galling espanya
Unang martir ni kristo sa hapon
Gloria Gloria san pedro bautista
Unang martir ni kristo sa hapon
S’ya’y sinugo buhat dito sa ‘ting bayan
sa hapon nang so kristo’y ipangaral.
Dahil sa mga aral n’ya’t halimbawa,
kay hesus sila’y sumampalataya.
Misyonerong patron ng san fransisko
kami ay ipanalangin mo
nang aming pagkakrist’yano’y maging tunay,
at manatiling tapat habang buhay,
manatiling tapat kailanman. (koro)
(Sa kanyang kapistahan-pebrero 5-6 )
Koro:
si san pedro bautista’y ipagdiwang
sapagkat ngayo’y kanyang kapistahan
para sa’ting lahat siya’y huwaran
at sa diyos ay tagapamagitan
Gloria Gloria san pedro bautista
Unang martir ni kristo sa hapon
S’ya’y sinugo buhat dito sa ‘ting bayan
sa hapon nang so kristo’y ipangaral.
Dahil sa mga aral n’ya’t halimbawa,
kay hesus sila’y sumampalataya.
Misyonerong patron ng san fransisko
kami ay ipanalangin mo
nang aming pagkakrist’yano’y maging tunay,
at manatiling tapat habang buhay,
manatiling tapat kailanman. (koro)
1, 10
2,9
8,3
4,7
6,5
