Early Life and Vocation
Saint Peter Claver was born in Verdú, Catalonia, Spain, in 1580. From a young age, he showed piety and intellectual gifts. While studying at the University of Barcelona, he discerned a call to the Jesuits and entered the Society of Jesus at age 20. It was during his studies in Majorca that he met Saint Alphonsus Rodríguez, the humble lay brother who served as the porter. Alphonsus prophetically encouraged Peter to dedicate his life to missionary service in the New World.
Mission to the New World
In 1610, Peter Claver sailed to Cartagena in present-day Colombia, then the principal slave-trading port of the Americas. Upon his arrival, he completed his theology studies and was ordained a priest in 1616. Inspired by the Gospel and moved by the misery he witnessed, he solemnly declared himself “the slave of the slaves forever” — a promise he lived out with heroic fidelity.
Apostolate among the Enslaved
Every month, ships filled with enslaved Africans arrived in Cartagena under horrific conditions. Many died in transit; those who survived were weak, sick, and terrified. Father Claver met the ships as soon as they docked, bringing food, medicine, blankets, and words of comfort. He washed and tended to their wounds, ministered to the dying, and baptized those who sought the faith — often several thousand a year. Over 40 years, he baptized and catechized more than 300,000 souls.
Defender of Human Dignity
Saint Peter Claver did not limit himself to spiritual care; he denounced the cruelty of the slave trade, reproached wealthy merchants, and insisted on the humanity and dignity of every person, regardless of race or condition. He also ministered to sailors, prisoners, and the poor in Cartagena. Despite opposition, misunderstanding, and even neglect from some in his own order, his charity remained steadfast.
Final Years and Death
After decades of tireless labor, his health declined. The last years of his life were marked by sickness and neglect, as he was left in the care of a servant who treated him harshly. Saint Peter Claver bore these humiliations with patience, uniting them to the sufferings of Christ. He died on September 8, 1654, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he loved dearly.
Legacy and Canonization
- Beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1850.
- Canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1888, along with his mentor Saint Alphonsus Rodríguez.
- Declared patron of missions to Africa and of interracial justice.
Saint Peter Claver’s example remains a luminous witness to the Gospel’s call to serve the least and defend the dignity of every human being. His motto — “The slave of the slaves forever” — embodies the radical charity of Christ.