Peter Claver was a 17th-century Spanish Jesuit priest who dedicated his life to serving enslaved people in the New Kingdom of Granada. Born in 1580 in Verdú, he traveled to Cartagena in 1615 to continue the missionary work of his mentor, Alonso de Sandoval. Throughout his forty-year ministry, he provided essential medical care, food, and spiritual guidance to those arriving on slave ships. He is recognized as a saint in the Catholic tradition and serves as a patron for several groups, including slaves, seafarers, and the nation of Colombia.
Missionary work
Claver focused his efforts on the enslaved Africans arriving in the port of Cartagena. He met ships upon their arrival to offer nourishment and care to the sick and injured. To facilitate his religious teaching, he learned local languages and utilized translators to share the catechism. It is estimated that he performed hundreds of thousands of baptisms and heard many confessions annually during his long service in the region.
Veneration and legacy
He is honored as a saint within the Catholic Church, with his feast day observed on September 9. His commitment to human rights has led the Congress of Colombia to designate that date as the National Day of Human Rights. He is also venerated as a patron saint for seafarers and the people of Colombia, remembered for his tireless dedication to the marginalized.