Saint Paul Miki
Feast Day: February 6
Saint Paul Miki was born into a samurai family in 1564 and was baptized as a child in 1568, receiving the baptismal name Paul. When the seminary opened under Azuchi Castle, he studied as one of its first students and acquired a wide range of knowledge. At the age of 22, he joined the Society of Jesus. As an irman (monk), he deepened his studies and faith, and led many people to faith in Christ through his faith, personality, and excellent talent for preaching.
Just a few months later, when it had been decided that he would become a priest, he was arrested due to Hideyoshi’s ban on Christianity, and together with his comrades, he was dragged to Nishizaka in Nagasaki and executed.
Even after being crucified on a high cross at the Nishizaka execution ground, St. Paul Miki remained calm and continued to preach as long as he lived, using the cross as an altar. His final words, “I forgive all people,” were in accordance with Jesus’ will and are highly regarded around the world as evidence of his true faith.
On June 8, 1862, 265 years after their martyrdom, the twenty-six were canonized by Pope Pius IX and are known as the “Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan.” In addition, due to St. Paul Miki’s firm faith and outstanding leadership, they are also known as “St. Paul Miki and his Fellow Martyrs.”
The Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan
Foreign Franciscan missionaries – Alcantarines:
Martin of the Ascension, Pedro Bautista, Philip of Jesus, Francisco Blanco, Francisco of Saint Michael, Gundisalvus (Gonsalvo) Garcia
Japanese Franciscan tertiaries:
Anthony Dainan, Bonaventure of Miyako, Cosmas Takeya, Francisco of Nagasaki, Francis Kichi, Gabriel de Duisco, Joachim Sakakibara, John Kisaka, Leo Karasumaru, Louis Ibaraki, Matthias of Miyako, Michael Kozaki, Paul Ibaraki, Paul Suzuki, Peter Sukejirō, Thomas Kozaki, Thomas Xico Danki
Japanese Jesuits:
James Kisai, John Soan de Goto, Paul Miki
The persecution of Missionaries and Christian followers continued after the martyrdom of these twenty-six individuals in 1597.
Patronage
Japan
Birthplace
Born
AD 1562
Settsu County, Japan
Death
5 February 1597 (~Age 34)
Nagasaki, Japan
Canonized
8 June 1862 (Pope Pius IX)
Shrine/Relics/Tomb
Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan, Nagasaki, Japan
Learn more:
Catholic Culture
Memorial of St. Paul Miki and Companions – CatholicCulture.com
St. Paul Miki, a Japanese Jesuit, and his twenty-five companions (d. 1597), who were martyred in Nagasaki, Japan. They were the first martyrs of East Asia to be canonized. They were killed simultaneously by being raised on crosses and then stabbed with spears. Their executioners were astounded upon seeing their joy at being associated to the Passion of Christ…
Franciscan Media
Saint Paul Miki and Companions – FranciscanMedia.org
Nagasaki, Japan, is familiar to Americans as the city on which the second atomic bomb was dropped, immediately killing over 37,000 people. Three and a half centuries before, 26 martyrs of Japan were crucified on a hill, now known as the Holy Mountain, overlooking Nagasaki. Among them were priests, brothers, and laymen, Franciscans, Jesuits, and members of the Secular Franciscan Order; there were catechists, doctors, simple artisans, and servants, old men and innocent children—all united in a common faith and love for Jesus and his Church.…