- April 18, 2024
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Every year, the Catholic Church honors San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manilo, the faith’s first Filipino saint, but this year, the celebration at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Palm Coast held a special significance: The church unveiled a new statue of the saint Saturday to kick off their celebration.
San Lorenzo, who was canonized as a saint in 1987, lived in the 17th century. A native to the Philippines, he was martyred in Japan after undergoing torture for his religious affiliation. To Catholics, his life is a testimony to keeping faith through difficult situations.
Reverend Father Jason Trull blessed the statue Saturday after its unveiling as devotees to the saint looked on.
For Erik Villanueva, the artist who spent two months crafting the mixed media statue, the project bore special significance because he is both Catholic and Filipino.
“It became a passion for me to do this job because this was the first time I was able to show what I really visualize when I think of San Lorenzo,” Villanueva said. “When I think of him, I think of faith — faith that he’d fight for. His faith motivated him to not give up.”
The statue was funded by the San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila of Palm Coast, which is supported by donations. The organization hosted a fundraising concert Saturday evening, which featured music by DINGGIN, a Filipino choral group.
Devotees of San Lorenzo have hoped for a statue of the saint for years.
“A dream can truly become a reality if we place all our trust in the hands of our loving God,” Trull said.
