A portrait of St. Peter Claver
St. Peter Claver
1580 – 1654
Feast
September 9 · XVII c.
Patron of
Enslaved people · African missions · Colombia · Interracial justice
Order
Priest / Jesuit / Missionary
Spanish Jesuit missionary in colonial Colombia (1580-1654), Catalan-born; arrived at Cartagena in 1610 as the principal port of arrival of the African slave trade in Spanish America. Vowed himself "slave of the slaves of the Africans forever" and for 38 years met every slave ship at the dock to baptize, instruct, and care for the cargoes—an estimated 300,000 baptisms. Canonized 1888 by Leo XIII; declared patron of all missionary work among Black Africans (1896).
Life & Times
Born: 1580 · Died: 1654 · From: Spain / Colombia.
Patronage
St. Peter Claver is invoked as the patron of enslaved people, african missions, colombia, interracial justice. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
“We must speak to them with our hands by giving, before we try to speak to them with our lips.”— St. Peter Claver (traditionally attributed)
Shop St. Peter Claver Products
Devotional items honoring St. Peter Claver, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
St. Peter Claver Holy Cards
$0.99
St. Peter Claver - Devotional Canvas
$39.00
Sterling Silver 6mm St. Peter Claver Rosary | Engravable
$356.00
Sterling Silver 6mm St. Peter Claver Rosary | Engravable
$365.00
Sterling Silver 6mm St. Peter Claver Rosary | Engravable
$349.00
Silver-Plated 6mm St. Peter Claver Rosary | Engravable
$141.00
Silver-Plated 7mm St. Peter Claver Rosary | Engravable
$148.00
Silver-Plated 8x6mm St. Peter Claver Rosary | Engravable
$155.00
About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Peter Claver, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.