Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

In 1549, Saint Francis Xavier and two other Jesuits arrived in Kagoshima, becoming the first missionaries to Japan. As Christianity gained followers, leader Hideyoshi, fearing its influence on the government, banned the faith. On December 8, 1596, he arrested twenty-six Catholics, including Brother Paul Miki, who was on the brink of ordination. Born into an affluent family, Paul converted to Catholicism with his family and became a Jesuit at twenty. Over thirteen years, he gained a reputation as a gifted preacher. After their arrest, Paul and his companions were tortured and paraded 600 miles for thirty days to deter others from converting to Christianity.

Along the way, they preached to the people who had come to see them and sang Psalms of praise and joy. They prayed the Rosary and told the people that such a martyrdom was an occasion of rejoicing, not sadness. When they arrived in Nagasaki, the center of Christianity in Japan at that time, the soon-to-be martyrs were permitted to go to Confession one last time. Twenty-six crosses awaited them on a hill now called the Holy Mountain. Paul Miki and his companions were chained to their crosses, secured with an iron collar, and lined up next to each other as four soldiers stood beneath them, each with a spear in hand. Brother Paul Miki preached his final sermon, professing Jesus as the only way to salvation, forgiving his persecutors, and praying that they would turn to Christ and receive baptism. Brother Paul continued to encourage the others, and as they all awaited death, they were filled with joy and continually cried out, “Jesus, Mary!” Then, with one thrust of the spear and one blow, each martyr went home to God.

Holy Martyrs of Nagasaki, you and countless others gave your lives courageously in witness to the faith. Obtain for us the same faith and courage that each of you had so that we may also become a witness for Christ in all that we do.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)