Inside the Slave Quarters With St. Peter Claver

About this sermon

“We spoke to them not with words, but with our hands and our actions.” On the feast of St. Peter Claver, this homily reflects upon a powerful letter written by the Jesuit missionary on May 30, 1627. In his own words, Claver describes ministering to enslaved Africans who had just survived the horrific voyage to Cartagena, Colombia. Carrying oranges, lemons, biscuits, medicine, and his own cloak, St. Peter hurried into the overcrowded quarters. Many sick captives lay unclothed upon wet ground and broken tiles. Two appeared close to death. Claver and his companions built a raised platform, wrapped the suffering in their cloaks, warmed them with coals and aromatic smoke, washed their faces and bodies, and encouraged them through compassionate gestures. Believing they had been brought there to be killed and eaten, the captives could not initially be reached by words. Christian charity became the missionary’s first language. Only after caring for their physical needs did Claver begin teaching them about Baptism, the one true God, repentance, the Most Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Passion of Jesus Christ. Using an image of the Crucified Savior and interpreters who knew their languages, he prepared them to make an act of contrition and receive the sacrament. This firsthand account reveals why St. Peter Claver became known as the Apostle of Cartagena and “the slave of the Africans forever.” St. Peter Claver, pray for us! 0:00 Feast of St. Peter Claver 0:03 His birth in Spain 0:17 Entering the Society of Jesus 0:22 His missionary vocation 0:28 Serving enslaved Africans in Cartagena 0:44 A reading appointed by the Church 0:59 St. Peter Claver’s letter from 1627 1:08 A slave ship arrives from Africa 1:16 Carrying food to the captives 1:30 Entering the overcrowded quarters 1:37 The sick lying in mud 2:01 Giving them the missionaries’ cloaks 2:10 Building a platform for the sick 2:23 Dividing the mission into two groups 2:32 Two men near death 2:49 Warming them with coals and aromatics 3:03 Sacrificing their own cloaks 3:17 Recovering warmth and life 3:25 Joy appears in their eyes 3:32 Speaking through compassionate actions 3:40 Their terrible fear 3:49 Washing and comforting the sick 4:05 Beginning instruction for Baptism 4:23 Teaching about the one true God 4:39 Preparing them through contrition 4:48 The Trinity, Incarnation, and Passion 5:02 Showing them Christ Crucified 5:09 Praying in their own language For more please visit http://www.stacharlotte.com/podcast & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest #StPeterClaver #CatholicHomily #JesuitSaint #CatholicFaith #CatholicSaints #FeastDay #Cartagena #CatholicChurch #DailyReflection #CatholicInspiration 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴