John Ruiz Biography

After several years, Lorenzo Ruiz earned the title of "escribano" or notary. He became an active member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, an organization devoted to the Blessed Virgin. This group was organized in the Philippines in 1587.

Lorenzo got married but the name of his wife not mentioned in the documents. He confessed before he was convicted that he was a family man-having a wife with three kids, two boys and a girl.

In 1636, a grave crime was committed in Manila. Authorities conducted a manhunt for Lorenzo because they believed he knew something about it or was himself involved in it. When Lorenzo learned of some missionary priests leaving for Japan, he asked if he could be allowed to join them. And he was allowed aboard the ship bound for Japan, along with the Dominicans, safe from fear of being implicated in a crime.

At the time, there was a widescale persecution of Christians in Japan. All those who professed faith in God and served as missionaries were jailed and even put to death. Their lives were to be spared if they would renounce their Christian chose death rather than renounce their belief in God. And Lorenzo Ruiz was among those who underwent excruciating forms of persecution.