ANZAC DAY

April 25th is a significant day for us as we remember fellow who have died in wars and as the result of war. For many, the First World War and the experience of are lessons in history. Visiting the battlefields of northern and the Gallipoli peninsula in are sobering reminders of the deprivation of war and of the courage to live through that experience. They are places we honour with silence. If we use words, they need to reverence the sacrifice and convey the gratitude we who are the recipients of the valour of others as do the words of the Ode taken from the poem “The Fallen” by Laurence Binyon: The Ode They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

Eternal rest grant to them all O Lord; May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Almighty, ever living God Who sent your Son to die that me might live, grant, we pray, eternal rest to those who gave themselves in service and sacrifice for their country. Though Christ our Risen Lord. Amen.

St Peter Chanel – Proto martyr of Oceania Peter was born in the village of La Potière near Montrevel-en-Bresse on July 12, 1803, to Claude-François Chanel and Marie-Anne Sibellas. He was the fifth of their eight children. They owned a small farm where Chanel worked as a shepherd. The French Revolution had interrupted his education, and eventually, he attended a small parish school. From here he went to school in Cras and then to the seminary and was ordained priest at Brou in 1824. Peter was attracted to the missions, and in 1831 he joined the new Society of Mary (Marists). On September 24, 1836, he was professed a Marist and left Le Havre for Oceania on December 24 that year. After a long sea voyage, he arrived with Brother Marie-Nizier on Futuna on November 8, 1837. After Peter's death, the island converted to Christianity and became a centre of catholicism. Peter Chanel was killed on by the king’s son-in-law Musimusu. The mission had been harsh, with little success and much hardship. When the king's son Meitala wanted to be baptised the king reacted against this threat to his power. He asked Musumusu to do whatever was needed to resolve this. After an initial confrontation with Meiltala, Musumusu went to Peter's home faking his need for medical attention which is when Musumusu took an axe and clubbed Chanel to death. It was 28, 1841.

Eventually, Peter Chanel’s remains were brought to Russell in the Bay of Islands and stayed for eight years before being taken to France. Peter Chanel was declared Blessed in 1889 and canonised in 1954 by Pope Pius XII.

St Peter Chanel is the first martyr and Patron Saint of Oceania. He was a foundation member of the Society of Mary -sisters, brothers, priests, laity- who have all contributed to the development of the Catholic Church in .

In New Zealand, there are parishes, primary schools, a college, a National Shrine, and a Diocesan centre dedicated to St Peter Chanel. We pray especially for St Peter Chanel Parish, Hastings, the Marist Communities in Taradale, and for the principal, staff and students at Chanel College, Masterton.

Prayer: May the glorious feast day of your blessed Martyr St Peter Chanel give strength to your people. May his generosity of spirit inspire in us works of courage for the poor and needy. May his life and death for Christ and the message of Gospel help us to grow in faith. Bless the churches of Oceania, O Lord, with wisdom and peace. Bless countries of Oceania, that they may be places of freedom and welcome for those in need. Through Christ our Risen Lord. Amen