Homily given by Bishop Anthony Randazzo
Bishop of Broken Bay
Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving for the Canonisation of Saint Peter To Rot
19 October 2025
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, as the Church of Oceania gathers in joy and gratitude, we give thanks to God for an extraordinary gift, the canonisation of Saint Peter To Rot, the first male saint born in our wonderful region of the world. It is a moment of grace not only for Papua New Guinea, but for the whole Pacific family. How fitting that the Pacific itself takes its name from the Latin: pax, pacis, meaning “peace”. Saint Peter To Rot, a man of deep inner peace and quiet strength, reflects the soul of our islands: steadfast, faithful, and anchored in Christ.
Saint Paul’s words from the Second Letter to Timothy remind us that the Word of God forms us and gives us the courage to live our vocation fully. (cf 2 Tim 3:14 - 4:2)
Peter To Rot was not a bishop, priest, or religious. He was a lay catechist, a husband and father, someone who simply took his faith seriously. Born in 1912 into a family of new converts to Christ, Peter was shaped by faith from his earliest years. When the Japanese forces occupied his region during the Second World War and imprisoned the missionaries, Peter did not retreat in fear. He stepped forward. He led prayer, baptized children, prepared couples for marriage, and quietly kept the life of the Church alive.
In a time of persecution, he stood firm, faithful to the Gospel he had embraced. His witness reminds us that holiness is not the privilege of a few; it is the call of every baptised person, male or female, young or old. Each of us, in our daily lives, in our families, workplaces, parishes, schools, and communities, is called to be a living witness to Christ.
The Gospel today speaks of persistence in prayer and trust in God’s justice (Luke 18:1-8).
Peter To Rot lived that Gospel with every fibre of his being. When the occupying forces encouraged polygamy to gain favour with local leaders, Peter courageously defended Christian marriage. He spoke the truth, not to condemn, but to remain faithful to Christ’s teaching. For that, he was arrested and eventually killed by lethal injection in 1945.
However, even in prison, Peter never gave up hope. He prayed. He trusted. He knew God would hear the cry of his people. And God has indeed vindicated him: today, Peter To Rot stands before us as Saint Peter To Rot, a son of the Pacific, a witness of truth, a friend of Christ. His life teaches us to live with integrity, courage, and unwavering hope, even when the world resists the values of faith.
My sisters and brothers, as we celebrate this canonisation, let us also welcome Saint Peter To Rot as a companion on our own journey of faith. In many parts of our world today, religion is treated as unnecessary, and faith as something outdated or private. Saint Peter To Rot’s life speaks strongly into this reality. He reminds us that without faith, we are left clinging to the surface of this world, never daring to hope for the joy of heaven.
In this Holy Year of Hope, his example shines brightly. He teaches us to lift our eyes beyond what is passing, to the One who never disappoints. Hope in Jesus gives us strength to endure and courage to live the Gospel fully.
Many of us gathered here today are migrants or descendants of those who once left their islands and homelands in search of new beginnings. As we settle, build communities, and prosper in this land, we must not lose the faith that gave our ancestors strength and hope. That faith is our treasure. It is what has shaped our families, our cultures, and our communities.
Our procession with the Migrant Jubilee Cross at the beginning of this Mass was a powerful reminder: wherever we go, Christ must lead the way. Jesus walks with us through every journey, every new beginning, every challenge. And like Saint Peter To Rot, we too must remain faithful.
Pope Leo XVI expressed this beautifully when he said:
“We are not truly satisfied with achievements and passing certainties of this world, because we are created in the image and likeness of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we recognise an inexhaustible longing in our hearts for something more.”
That “something more” is God Himself. That longing is what drove Peter To Rot to lay down his life rather than compromise his faith. That same longing lives in each of us, calling us to deeper trust, deeper love, and deeper hope.
My dear people, today is a day of deep joy and delight for the Church in Oceania. A son of the Pacific has been raised to the altars of the Church. From his village in Rakunai, his witness now speaks to the whole world.
Let us walk with Saint Peter To Rot:
- with integrity, in a world that often tempts us to compromise;
- with courage, in a world that sometimes misunderstands faith;
- and with hope, in a world yearning for peace.
May his example help us live our baptismal vocation with joy and conviction. Like him, might we announce the Good News of Jesus Christ by our lives, in our words and deeds. May he intercede for our families, our communities, and our islands. And may we, like him, remain faithful to Christ, the One who leads us, the One who sustains us, and the One who never disappoints.
Saint Peter To Rot — faithful catechist, courageous martyr, son of Oceania — pray for us. Amen.