Peter, Bull fighter. bull, slave trader, slaves (3), Pope Paul III, Pope Urban VIII, Alonso, horse, slave owner
Peter Claver was born in Spain in 1580.
(Enter bull, bull fighter)
He lived near Barcelona, where bullfighters would wave red capes and dodge angry bulls. The audience yelled "Olé!"
(Exit bull, bullfighter, enter Alphonsus)
Peter studied to be a priest. He was known for his intelligence and piety. One day his friend Alphonsus came to him and said "Peter, I'm a prophet. God told me that you should go to New Spain and work in the colonies there." New Spain was what they called Latin america back then.
Peter shrugged and said "Ok!" Then he sailed off to Columbia.
(Exit Alphonsus, enter slave trader, slaves)
But when Peter got there, he was shocked by what he saw! Slave traders were bringing slaves from Africa to work in New Spain! The slaves were made to dig up silver in the mines.
(Enter Pope Paul III and Pope Urban VIII).
Pope Paul III said "I condemn the slave trade!"
Pope Urban VIII said "Me too! In fact, I prohibit it!"
But the slave trader rubbed his hands together, saying "Are you kidding? It makes so much money! If I buy a slave for $2000 in Africa, I can sell him in the new world for $100,000!"
One of the slaves said. "Yeah, but you treat us like objects!"
Another said "The living conditions are terrible!"
A third said "And about 30% of us die when you take us across the ocean!"
The slave trader said "Oh well, the cost of doing business!" Then turning to the popes, the slave trader said in a stage whisper "Also, you guys are both dead, so get off the stage"
The two Popes said "awww" and left with their heads down.
(Exit Popes, enter Alonso)
But a man named Alonso said "Peter, you can help me in my work! I can't stop the slave trade, so I go to the places where the slaves live! I make sure they are treated well."
Peter said "I'd rather go to the warf, and work with the slaves as they arrive! Get me a horse!"
(Enter horse)
When the audience saw the horse, they all said in unison "Peter, the horse is here!"
Alonso said "Why do you need a horse? The warf is right there!"
Peter said "I don't need a horse, I just wanted everyone to say it."
The horse stamped her foot, winnied in disgust, and pranced away with her head in the air.
(Exit horse, Alonso, slave trader)
Peter would go to the ships as they arrived, full of slaves. Peter said "I am in the service of God- I too am a slave!"
One of the slaves said "We were told that when we got here, people would eat us!"
Peter said "No. But they will force you to work. I'm here to take care of you."
Peter would baptize many of the slaves.
(Enter slave owner)
Then Peter would say to the slave owners. "Now your slaves are Christians! You are required by law to treat them well and give them their civic rights."
Angrily, the slave owner shook his fist and growled.
One day Peter died. The slaves all cried. Even the slave owner said "This was a great man, who knew what it was to be a saint."
St Peter Claver- Pray for us!
