Who we are? What we do?

San Lorenzo Ruiz de manila is a lay Catholic Movement aimed to promote Lay Spirituality through active pastoral involvement. It is a movement seeking to discover deeper meaning of faith in the ordinariness of life by following the example of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, the first Filipino saint.

We offer ourselves in service to the Church by cooperating with different parish organizations and other Non-Governmental Organizations NGO's in simple and humble way. All our collective efforts are directed towards the promoting the special lay Spirituality as active members of Mystical Body Christ the Church.

San Lorenzo Ruiz Circle of Friends as lay aware to their indispensable role in the mission of the Church, promote lay spirituality through the Work of Mercy, prayer, and reflection.

Mission: Sharing a common dignity lay faith and active member of the Mystical Body Christ the Church we committed ourselves for the following;

• Promote lay spirituality by active pastoral serves and to live gospel values by active participation in Church.
• Provide Lay Catholic faithful a venue for pastoral and social involvement by helping the less privilege school children, urban poor families and seminarians.

Projects

1. Annual Gift giving to new born babies in public hospital (Share a Joy on Christmas).
2. Educational assistance among poor students-giving school supplies and scholarship.
3. Family counseling especially among family migrant workers.
4. Helping seminarians through financial assistance project.

Structure

The San Lorenzo Ruiz Circle of Friends have three groups nationwide, Manila, Cebu and Davao. Each group is headed by a coordinator. They are all appointed, the rest is considered as members.

Short Life History of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila

Born in Binondo, Manila, Lorenzo Ruiz was of mixed Chinese and Filipino descent (mestizo). His Chinese father taught him Chinese, and his Filipino mother taught him Tagalog. Both of his parents were Catholic

Ruiz served as an altar boy at the convent of Binondo church. After being educated by the Dominican friars for a few years, Ruiz earned the title of escribano (stenographer) because of his skillful hand and unsurpassed penmanship. He became a member of the Confraternity of the Rosary. In 1636, while working as a clerk at the Binondo Church, Ruiz was falsely accused of killing a Spaniard. Prior to this incident, his life with his Filipino wife, two sons and a daughter was peaceful, religious and full of contentment. But after the allegation, Ruiz sought asylum on board a ship with three Dominican priests: Saint Antonio Gonzalez, Saint Guillermo Courtet, and Saint Miguel de Aozaraza, a Japanese priest, Saint Vicente Shiwozuka de la Cruz, and a layman named Saint Lazaro of Kyoto, a leper. Ruiz and his companions left for Japan on June 10, 1636 with the aid of the Dominican fathers and Sr. Domingo Gonzales

Exile to Japan

The boat landed at Okinawa and the group was arrested and persecuted based on their Christian religion. They were brought to Nagasaki on July 10, 1636. They were tortured through hanging by their feet, by submerging in water until near death, and by water torture. Needles were also inserted under their finger nails and they were beaten until unconscious. These methods made some of Ruiz's companions recant their faith, but Ruiz never did.

*Core Group Coordinators and Project Directors:

Manila

Miss Leonora Castillo - Coordinator

Mr. Romuldo Ignacio Jr. &

Miss Felicidad Fermin

Promotion Directors and

Project Director

Cebu City

Mr.Peter Tio

Coordinator

Mrs. Aissa dela Cruz

Project Director

and Promotion Director

Davao City

Mrs Mila Punzalan

Coordinator

Ms. Cicelia Tibus and

Mr. Rommy Manreza

Promotion and Project Director