Peter Claver

Peter Claver, a 17th-century Catholic priest, became the patron saint of slaves for his ministry to enslaved Africans. During his 40 years ministry in the Americas as a Jesuit priest, he is known to have baptized a total of 300,000 people and hearing 5,000 confessions per year. Born in Spain to prosperous farming family, he excelled in school. After two years of study at the University of Barcelona, he apparently discovered his personal role to play in the Christian Story when he wrote: "I must dedicate myself to the service of God until death, on the understanding that I am like a slave." After completing his studies, Claver entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and volunteered to service in Spain's colonies in America, where he witnessed the horrific treatment of enslaved Africans. While in Colombia, Claver would often board slave ships from Africa and minister to their inhumanely treated human cargo. In shore-side pens, Claver brought medicine, and food. Claver treated the baptized slaves as fellow Christians, encouraging others to do the same. During his 40 years of ministry, it is estimated that he baptized hundreds of thousands and fighting tirelessly for the slaves' dignity, advocating for better treatment from their captors and colonists. Claver’s actions earned him the title "Apostle of the Slaves". During the last four years of his life, Peter Claver suffered a bedridden life, but never complained, accepting it as a just punishment for his sins. Peter Claver was canonized as a saint in 1888 just three years after the U.S. abolished slavery and 234 years after Claver's death. The Knights of Peter Claver is the largest and oldest Black Catholic lay-led fraternal organization in the United States founded in 1906 by a group of African American Catholics. This organization provides Black Catholics with opportunities for spiritual and social leadership within a supportive faith-based community.