The Universal Church celebrates today the memory of St. Paul Miki and his companions. St. Paul was born in Japan, was the son of a Japanese military leader, and was educated at the Jesuit college of Anziquiama. He joined the Jesuits in 1580, and became known for his eloquent preaching.
Japanese authorities feared the influence of the Jesuits and actively persecuted them and the Church. St. Paul was jailed with his companions and then forced to march 600 miles to Nagasaki, the home to the vast majority of Christian conversions to the faith. On the way, they sang the Te Deum, the Church’s hymn of praise and thanksgiving.
At age 35, St. Paul was crucified on February 5, 1597, along with 25 others. He preached his last sermon from the cross and, like his Master, he forgave his executioners.
Lest his “companions” get lost to history, among them were: Francis, a carpenter who was arrested while watching the executions and then crucified; Gabriel, the 19-year-old son of the Franciscans’ doorkeeper; Leo Kinuya, a 28-year-old carpenter from Miyako; Joachim Sakakibara, a cook for the Franciscans at Osaka; Peter Sukejiro, sent by a Jesuit priest to help the prisoners, and who was himself arrested; and Cosmas Takeya from Owari, who had preached in Osaka. They and all the rest in their company were canonized as “the Martyrs of Japan” by Pope Pius IX in 1862.
Let us pray. “Gracious God, we thank you for giving us the martyrs, St. Paul Miki and his companions, as examples of holiness. Help us to imitate their devotion to you and their willing self-sacrifice. Through their intercession, may we be your servants, too, eager to dedicate our lives to the Gospel of your Son. In Jesus’ holy Name. Amen.”
***
The Te Deum prayer: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/prayers/the-te-deum.html
