SANZ, Pedro, Blessed. — Dominican, martyr, born in Ascò (diocese of Tortosa) on 1 September 1680, died at Foyan (China) on 26 May 1747.
He entered the Order in 1697, was ordained priest in 1704, and in 1713 went to Mexico and thence to the Philippines, reaching China in 1715, where he worked in the province of Fo-kien. In 1730 he was consecrated bishop. But two years later, when persecution arose, he was banished to Macao, from where seven years later he returned to China and continued to minister to his flock, though with caution so as not to be discovered and endanger his Christians. Yet since the hardships against them and the persecutions did not cease, he decided to surrender himself to his and their enemies. This occurred on 30 June 1746. The following year he suffered death. In 1748 four of his fellow religious were also killed: G. Rogo, G. Alcobér, F. Diaz and F. Serrano; they were beatified together on 14 May 1893.