![\"Peter](\"http:\/\/ametur-msc.org\/website\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Peter-To-Rot-portrait-MSC-01-450x645.jpg\")
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A new portrait of Blessed Peter To\u00b7Rot has been unveiled this weekend. The work, created by internationally renowned Spanish artist Raul Bersoza Fernandez, will be used during the canonization ceremony in Rome on October 19. At beatifications and canonisations, it is customary to display an image of the new blessed or saint on the fa\u00e7ade of St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, in the Vatican, so that the faithful may see the face of these brothers and sisters who have reached eternal glory and now intercede for us. The portrait of Peter To\u00b7Rot was commissioned by the Vice-Postulator of the Cause, Fr. Tomas Ravaioli, IVE, who is currently Director of the Liturgical Catechetical Institute.<\/p>\n
The artist is a Spanish painter known for his realistic style and religious themes. He has produced works for Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, and his paintings can be found in churches across five continents. He specializes in theological art, often depicting biblical scenes from both the Old and New Testaments with striking naturalism. Today, he is considered one of the world\u2019s leading religious painters and has received awards and recognition in many countries.<\/p>\n
Key details of To\u00b7Rot\u2019s painting include: Without a doubt, the face of Peter To\u00b7Rot will become the most widely recognized face from Papua New Guinea around the world, and we should be proud that a son of our land has gained such renown through his fidelity to Christ.<\/p>\n
\n– The face<\/strong>. Only one photograph of Peter To\u00b7Rot exists, and the artist based his work on that image. Since the photo is not widely known, some may find the portrait unfamiliar; however, this is most likely exactly how To\u00b7Rot looked.
\n– The Bible in his right hand<\/strong>. The Bible is the living Word of God, through which He reveals His will. As St. Jerome, an early Father of the Church, once said: \u201cIgnorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.\u201d Scripture and the Eucharist were the daily nourishment that sustained To\u00b7Rot and gave him strength to face martyrdom.
\n– The wedding rings on his left hand<\/strong>. To\u00b7Rot gave his life defending God\u2019s original plan for marriage and family: the faithful union of one man and one woman, lasting until death. The rings symbolize this divine design for marriage and family: faithfulness until the end.
\n– The catechist\u2019s cross<\/strong>. The cross of the catechist appears both on his chest and on his laplap. Witnesses recall that during the war many catechists hid these crosses for fear of being identified by the Japanese. To\u00b7Rot, however, was always proud to show himself as a faithful servant and never concealed his cross. On the contrary, when he was imprisoned\u2014on the day before his martyrdom, fully aware of what awaited him\u2014he said to his young wife Paula: \u201cBring me the catechist\u2019s crucifix from home.\u201d To\u00b7Rot wished to die with the cross upon his chest.<\/p>\n
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