And the two canonized Filipino saints are laymen martyred in overseas missions: Lorenzo Ruiz (born around 1600, martyred 1637 ...

The various Christian churches share some saints and also have their own. Why so few Filipino saints? Muslims have their own saints (Rumi is one), as do Jews. And every religion has its own ...

The pontiff highlighted two figures of inspiration for Filipinos: St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the prefect (head) of the Dicastery for Evangelization.

As the pope rightly points out, popular piety's "active evangelizing power" must not be underestimated. Many Filipino devotees' prayers to Mary and other saints have sustained them in the most trying ...