Born in Spain in 1580, his family was wealthy and devout. From the time he was a boy, he did not understand Spain’s participation in the slave trade. 

An outstanding student, he entered the University of Barcelona where he wrote: “I must dedicate myself to the service of God until death on the understanding that I am like a slave.” 

At the age of twenty, Peter entered The Society of Jesus and, among the people he met, was the humble porter to the Jesuits, St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, who had the Gift of prophecy. He told Peter The Lord had spoken to him, and was calling Peter to serve in Spain’s colonial territories. 

In 1610, Peter set sail for Cartagena, the capital of Spain’s slave trade, where 10 thousand slaves a year were arriving, after a brutal journey across the Atlantic. At least a third of the slaves died on the journey, and of the survivors, many were extremely sick when they arrived, and all were terrified. 

In 1615 Peter was ordained, and followed the lead of his predecessor, Fr. Alfonzo De Sandoval, saying: “I am a slave to the slaves forever.” 

With the arrival of each ship, Peter would go into its hold and treat those who had been beaten, and who were very sick. 

After the slaves were removed, they were placed in chains, and then into a fenced yard. Peter would go among them and attend to them with medicine and food, brandy, tobacco, and prayer. 

In forty years of service, he helped an estimated one hundred thousand slaves. 

He became a moral leader as well, giving spiritual direction and doing missions. 

Peter worked non-stop and, finally, became quite sick. 

During the last four years of his life, he was ill, and all but neglected. 

He died in 1654, at the age of 74. 

St. Peter Claver, please pray for us.