St.Peter Claver

Farmer's son.
Studied at the University of Barcelona.
Jesuit from age 20.
Priest.

Influenced by Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez to become a missionary in America.
Ministered, physically and spiritually, to slaves when they arrived in Cartegena, converting a reported 300,000 and working for humane treatment on the plantations for 40 years.
Organized charitable societies among the Spanish in America similar to those organized in Europe by Saint Vincent de Paul.

Died on 8 September 1654 at Cartegena, Columbia of natural causes.

Canonized in 1888