Catholics have expressed joy at a Vatican announcement naming the date for the canonization of what will be the country’s second saint.

In an announcement on Saturday, the Vatican said the canonization of Blessed Pedrom Calungsod will take place on October 21.

“We are happy that we will have a second Filipino saint,” Bishop Jose Oliveros of Malolos said today.

He noted that Calungsod, like the first saint, Lorenzo Ruiz, was a lay person.

“It shows that our lay people can respond to the call to holiness.”

Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa said the canonization of Calungsod is a sign of the “great importance of the non-ordained faithful in the Church in Asia.”

Mass goers in Cebu shouted “Viva San Pedro de Cebu” after the news was announced on Sunday.

“I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the promotion of Blessed Pedro’s cause. I hope that their blessing will help unite our people and bring peace and harmony,” said Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal in a message on Facebook.

Calungsod was an 18-year-old missionary in Guam in 1672 when he was killed. He was beatified in 2000 by Blessed John Paul.

Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, confirmed the canonization of Calungsod and six other candidates for sainthood after a Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday.