THE Philippine Postal Corp. (Philpost) launches today on the occasion of the canonization of Saint Pedro Calungsod a limited edition of “Calungsod stamps.

The single stamp design illustrates Calungsod holding a palm leaf on his left hand and his right hand at the chest signifying his deep Catholic faith.

Also within the stamp is an image of the missionary’s route to the Marianas Island where Calungsod was killed.

Philpost is issuing limited edition of 50,000 stamps with denomination of P9.00, which will be available starting October 22, 2012 up to October 20, 2013 at selected post offices nationwide.

Philpost officials urged the faithful especially the youth to participate in activities commemorating the life and sacrifice of Calungsod, “a young layman who have given his life to serve God.”

Calungsod was a 17-year old Visayan martyr who was killed while doing missionary work in the Marianas Island in Guam in 1672. On March 5, 2000, Pope John Paul II beatified him.

Since then he was called Blessed Pedro Calungsod. A blessed is a saint who is not listed on the universal roster of saints of the Catholic Church. Blesseds who get canonized are called saints and are included in the praying of the complete litany of saints.