Peter Chanel was a French Catholic priest and missionary belonging to the Society of Mary who served in Oceania during the 19th century. Born in 1803 in Montrevel-en-Bresse, France, he dedicated his life to foreign missions after being inspired by missionary correspondence. He traveled extensively through the Pacific, eventually settling on the island of Futuna in 1837. There, he worked to establish the faith despite significant hardships and isolation, ultimately losing his life in 1841 when he was killed by a local warrior.