Being the first Filipino saint, Lorenzo Ruiz’ high sense of spirituality bespeaks of his worthiness to this uncommon and distinct title. As a youth, his spiritual growth was nourished, among others, by his active membership in the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary and his intense desire to learn catechism. This was evidenced by consistently serving as sacristan at the Binondo Church, then shepherded by Dominican priests who provided him a living acquaintance with the Spanish language. Capable of articulating this particular language, Lorenzo later earned for himself the label "Escribano" or Scribe.

"Hanging in the pit" was a capital punishment for Christians that did not spare Lorenzo. He stood firm in refusing to renounce his Faith with these unrelenting words, "I am a Christian and I will remain a Christian even to the point of death. Only to God will I offer my life. If I had a thousand lives, I would still offer them to Him." As a result, on September 23, 1637, he was tortured until he died, glorifying God.