What Happened This Year 1654

People Who Died in 1654

San Pedro Claver

Spanish Jesuit saint and missionary
Born
June 26th, 1581 444 years ago
Died
1654 371 years ago — 73 years old

Born in 1581, a Spanish Jesuit missionary dedicated life to the service of enslaved people in the Americas. Deployed to Cartagena, Colombia, provided care and catechesis to thousands of Africans brought to the region. Established a reputation for compassion and advocacy for the rights of the enslaved, working tirelessly to alleviate their suffering. Canonized in 1888, he became the patron saint of enslaved people and mission workers.

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