St. Pierre Chanel Day is a public holiday in Wallis and Futuna, observed on April 28 each year. The holiday marks the death anniversary of Peter Chanel, a Catholic priest and missionary.
Peter Chanel was born in France on July 12, 1803, and became a parish priest in 1827 when he was 24. In 1831, he joined the Society of Mary and served as the spiritual director at the seminary of Belley for 5 years. In 1836, Chanel and a group of missionaries were sent to Oceania.
Chanel arrived on the island of Futuna in November 1837, and he was well received at the beginning by the King of Futuna. However, the mission was a difficult one. The King worried Christianity will undermine his authority after a few natives were baptized, and he sent his son-in-law to resolve the problem when his son also decided to be baptized. Chanel was clubbed to death with an ax on April 28, 1841.
Chanel was declared a martyr, beatified in 1889, and canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1954. Saint Peter Chanel is recognized as the patron saint of Oceania, with April 28 as his feast day.
The following is the St. Pierre Chanel Day in Wallis and Futuna list from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| St. Pierre Chanel Day | Apr 28, 2022 | Thursday |
| St. Pierre Chanel Day | Apr 28, 2023 | Friday |
| St. Pierre Chanel Day | Apr 28, 2024 | Sunday |
| St. Pierre Chanel Day | Apr 28, 2025 | Monday |
| St. Pierre Chanel Day | Apr 28, 2026 | Tuesday |
Please check more public holidays in Wallis and Futuna:
