St. Paul Miki and Companions

Twenty-six Catholics, including the Jesuit Paul Miki, were crucified at Nagasaki in 1597 and praised Christ as they died.

The story

Paul Miki was born in Japan around 1562 into a Christian family. He entered the Society of Jesus and became a gifted catechist and preacher, though he had not yet been ordained. Christianity had reached Japan through St. Francis Xavier in 1549 and had grown through the work of Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries. Periods of tolerance alternated with suspicion as political leaders feared foreign influence and divided loyalties.

In 1596, after a Spanish ship was wrecked on the Japanese coast, ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi renewed measures against Christians. Authorities arrested Franciscans in Kyoto and Osaka, together with Japanese lay Catholics and three Japanese Jesuits. The final group numbered twenty-six. It included six Franciscan friars, seventeen Japanese Franciscan associates and catechists, and the Jesuits Paul Miki, John Soan de Goto, and James Kisai. Among the lay martyrs were the boys Louis Ibaraki, Anthony, and Thomas Kozaki.

The prisoners had part of their left ears cut off and were displayed publicly as a warning. During the winter, they were forced to travel hundreds of miles from the Kyoto region to Nagasaki. They prayed, encouraged one another, and continued speaking about Christ along the road. The authorities intended their punishment to frighten the growing Christian population, especially in Nagasaki, where many Catholics lived.

On February 5, 1597, the twenty-six were fastened to crosses on Nishizaka Hill outside Nagasaki. Witnesses reported that Paul Miki preached from his cross. He declared himself Japanese and a follower of Christ, forgave those responsible for his death, and urged his hearers to embrace the Christian faith. The martyrs prayed and sang until executioners killed them with spears. Their witness became a source of courage during the far harsher persecutions that followed in the seventeenth century. Pope Urban VIII beatified the group in 1627. Pope Pius IX canonized all twenty-six in 1862. Their memorial is kept on February 6 because February 5 is assigned to St. Agatha in the General Roman Calendar.

What Paul teaches

The martyrs of Nagasaki show how Christians from different nations, religious communities, ages, and states of life can stand together in Christ. Their forgiveness of their persecutors reflects the charity required even toward enemies. As CCC 2473 teaches, martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith.

Patronage

Japan, Nagasaki, Catholic missionaries, persecuted Christians.

Prayer

God of steadfast love, you united St. Paul Miki and his companions in courageous witness. Through their intercession, sustain Christians who face persecution and teach your people to forgive their enemies. Keep the Church in Japan faithful and fruitful. Amen.