Saint Peter Chanel patron of Aotearoa New Zealand and Oceania: Feast 28 April

St Peter Chanel was murdered on Futuna on 28 April 1841. He was beatified in 1889 and canonised in 1954. Born at Cuet near Billey in France in 1803, Peter joined the newly formed Society of Mary (Marists) in 1831. He was eager to become a missionary and was sent to the vicariate of Western Oceania along with Fr Colin, eight priests and brothers and Bishop Jean Francis Pompallier. 

There are several websites with more information on our patron saint. 

For the St Peter Chanel 200 Anniversary several writers contributed to a website with plenty of supporting resources and background. These include a biography, prayers and further links. Here

Fr Justin Taylor SM in the Marist Messenger gives a full story of Peter's life and death. Here

Picture shows the Saint Peter Chanel Basilica, Futuna, where the saint's remains are encased in a reliquary. The monument of Musumusu his killer, in the foreground is where he humbly asked to be buried under the doorstep of St Peter's shrine for people to walk on. 

Source https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz/2017/03/30/saints-names-matter-st-peter-chanel/