About St. Peter Chanel
St. Peter Chanel (1803–1841) was born in Cuet, France, and grew up in a devout Catholic family. From a young age, he felt called to the priesthood and was ordained in 1827. He later joined the Society of Mary (Marists), dedicating his life to missionary work.
In 1837, Fr. Peter Chanel was sent to the island of Futuna in the South Pacific. Although he faced many hardships, opposition, and slow progress, he patiently preached the Gospel through humility, charity, and personal holiness. As more islanders embraced Christianity, the local king feared losing his authority. When the king’s own son sought Baptism, Peter Chanel was brutally martyred on April 28, 1841.
Ironically, his martyrdom led to the conversion of the entire island within a few years. Today, St. Peter Chanel is honored as the Protomartyr (First Martyr) of Oceania and is the patron saint of Oceania, missionaries in the Pacific, and the Society of Mary.
His feast day is celebrated on April 28.
Who was St. Peter Chanel?
St. Peter Chanel was a French Marist priest and missionary who became the first Catholic martyr of Oceania. He gave his life while evangelizing the people of Futuna in the South Pacific and is remembered for his humility, patience, and unwavering faith.
What is the St. Peter Chanel Novena for?
The St. Peter Chanel Novena is commonly prayed for:
- Courage during trials and persecution
- Perseverance in the Catholic faith
- Missionaries and evangelization
- Conversion of family members and loved ones
- Strength to forgive enemies
- Growth in holiness
- Special personal intentions
When should I pray the St. Peter Chanel Novena?
You may pray this novena at any time of the year. Many Catholics begin it before April 28, the feast of St. Peter Chanel, or whenever they seek his intercession for missionary work or perseverance in faith.
How do I pray the St. Peter Chanel Novena?
Pray the novena once each day for nine consecutive days. Offer your personal intention, pray the novena prayer, and conclude with:
- Pray One: Our Father…
- Pray One: Hail Mary…
- Pray One: Glory Be…
Why is St. Peter Chanel called the first martyr of Oceania?
St. Peter Chanel is known as the Protomartyr of Oceania because he was the first Catholic missionary to be martyred while evangelizing the islands of the Pacific. His sacrifice inspired many people on Futuna to embrace Christianity after his death.
What can we learn from St. Peter Chanel?
St. Peter Chanel teaches us to remain faithful even when our efforts seem unsuccessful. His life reminds us that God often brings abundant spiritual fruit through patience, humility, sacrifice, and unwavering trust in Christ.
Is St. Peter Chanel the patron saint of missionaries?
St. Peter Chanel is especially honored as the patron saint of Oceania, the Society of Mary (Marists), and many missionary communities throughout the Pacific. Catholics also seek his intercession for missionary work, evangelization, and the spread of the Gospel.
Why is St. Peter Chanel important to the Church today?
St. Peter Chanel’s witness reminds Catholics that the Gospel is worth proclaiming in every culture, even at great personal cost. His life demonstrates that faithful service, charity, and sacrifice can transform hearts and lead many people to Christ, often in ways we cannot immediately see.
| Novena Begins: | April 19 |
| Feast Day: | April 28 |
Saint Peter Chanel Patron Saint of Oceania
Day 1 – St. Peter Chanel Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who for the spreading of Your Church crowned Saint Peter Chanel with martyrdom, grant that, in these days of Paschal joy, we may so celebrate the mysteries of Christ’s Death and Resurrection as to bear worthy witness to newness of life.
(Mention your request here…)
Through the powerful intercession of Saint Peter Chanel, grant us the grace we humbly ask, if it be according to Your holy will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Saint Peter Chanel, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Peter Chanel Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who for the spreading of Your Church crowned Saint Peter Chanel with martyrdom, grant that, in these days of Paschal joy, we may so celebrate the mysteries of Christ’s Death and Resurrection as to bear worthy witness to newness of life.
(Mention your request here…)
Through the powerful intercession of Saint Peter Chanel, grant us the grace we humbly ask, if it be according to Your holy will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Saint Peter Chanel, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Peter Chanel Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who for the spreading of Your Church crowned Saint Peter Chanel with martyrdom, grant that, in these days of Paschal joy, we may so celebrate the mysteries of Christ’s Death and Resurrection as to bear worthy witness to newness of life.
(Mention your request here…)
Through the powerful intercession of Saint Peter Chanel, grant us the grace we humbly ask, if it be according to Your holy will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Saint Peter Chanel, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Peter Chanel Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who for the spreading of Your Church crowned Saint Peter Chanel with martyrdom, grant that, in these days of Paschal joy, we may so celebrate the mysteries of Christ’s Death and Resurrection as to bear worthy witness to newness of life.
(Mention your request here…)
Through the powerful intercession of Saint Peter Chanel, grant us the grace we humbly ask, if it be according to Your holy will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Saint Peter Chanel, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Peter Chanel Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who for the spreading of Your Church crowned Saint Peter Chanel with martyrdom, grant that, in these days of Paschal joy, we may so celebrate the mysteries of Christ’s Death and Resurrection as to bear worthy witness to newness of life.
(Mention your request here…)
Through the powerful intercession of Saint Peter Chanel, grant us the grace we humbly ask, if it be according to Your holy will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Saint Peter Chanel, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Peter Chanel Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who for the spreading of Your Church crowned Saint Peter Chanel with martyrdom, grant that, in these days of Paschal joy, we may so celebrate the mysteries of Christ’s Death and Resurrection as to bear worthy witness to newness of life.
(Mention your request here…)
Through the powerful intercession of Saint Peter Chanel, grant us the grace we humbly ask, if it be according to Your holy will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Saint Peter Chanel, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Peter Chanel Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who for the spreading of Your Church crowned Saint Peter Chanel with martyrdom, grant that, in these days of Paschal joy, we may so celebrate the mysteries of Christ’s Death and Resurrection as to bear worthy witness to newness of life.
(Mention your request here…)
Through the powerful intercession of Saint Peter Chanel, grant us the grace we humbly ask, if it be according to Your holy will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Saint Peter Chanel, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Peter Chanel Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who for the spreading of Your Church crowned Saint Peter Chanel with martyrdom, grant that, in these days of Paschal joy, we may so celebrate the mysteries of Christ’s Death and Resurrection as to bear worthy witness to newness of life.
(Mention your request here…)
Through the powerful intercession of Saint Peter Chanel, grant us the grace we humbly ask, if it be according to Your holy will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Saint Peter Chanel, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Peter Chanel Novena
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who for the spreading of Your Church crowned Saint Peter Chanel with martyrdom, grant that, in these days of Paschal joy, we may so celebrate the mysteries of Christ’s Death and Resurrection as to bear worthy witness to newness of life.
(Mention your request here…)
Through the powerful intercession of Saint Peter Chanel, grant us the grace we humbly ask, if it be according to Your holy will.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Saint Peter Chanel, pray for us.
Pray One: Our Father…
Pray One: Hail Mary…
Pray One: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…