PSDP Communities in CDO Gather to celebrate the 88th Death Anniversary of Br. Perez

Cagayan de Oro City – Yesterday, 4^th of December 2025, the religious communities of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence (PSDP), otherwise known as Calabrians, convened at the convent of the PSDP Sisters in Brgy. Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City to mark the 88^th death anniversary of Venerable Br. Francisco Perez.

Rev. Fr. Mark Jonnel Magos, PSDP led the eucharistic celebration in honor of Br. Perez. In his homily, he highlighted the humility of Br. Perez. He said: “Although Br. Perez came from a wealthy family, he chose to live simply and humbly. He abandoned wealth and fame in order to become an ordinary religious in the House of the Divine Providence… Br. Perez manifested his humility in an extraordinary way through his service to the poor children of San Zeno in Monte. He worked as cleaner of the house. He washed the clothes of the children. Sometimes, he took charge of removing lice on their heads.”

After the mass, Sr. Rosella Chiavegatto, PSDP and Sr. Catherine Mwako, PSDP invited their brothers for a simple yet spirit-filled dinner and conversation.

Francis Perez was born on July 9, 1861 in the Perez Palace, in Verona, Italy, through his parents, Antonio Maria Nicolò Earl Perez and Anna marquise Da Lisca.

In 1881, he finished his doctoral degree in Law and served as a lawyer for some good years. In 1889, he was appointed Deputy Magistrate of Verona, a position which he withdrew a year later.

In 1909, he sold all his goods, left his home and went to live among the poor of San Zeno in Monte where St. John Calabria started his work among the poor.

In 1932, Francis professed the triennial vows as a religious in the Congregation of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence.

On December 4, 1937, he died peacefully due to degenerative myocardia.

On June 27, 2001, Pope Benedict XVI approved the promulgation of heroic virtues of Francis Perez.