Japanese Saints And Martyrs

Bl. Michael Nakashima Feastday: December 25 1628 Jesuit martyr of Japan. A native Japanese, Michael was admitted to the Society of Jesus because of his holiness and courage. He hid priests and was placed under arrest for many months for harboring missionaries. Michael was then taken to Shimabara and was scalded to death in the hot springs at Mount Ungen. Pope Pius LX beatified him in 1867.

St. Francis Galvez Feastday: December 4 1623 Martyr of Japan. He was born in New Castile, Spain, and became a Franciscan in 1591. Assigned to Manila, Philippines, he worked there for twelve years and entered Japan in 1612. When the persecutions started, Francis went to Macau, where he had his skin dyed to make him appear Japanese. He entered Japan again in 1618 but was arrested. Francis was burned alive in Edo. He was beatified in 1867

Bl. Francis Chakichi Feastday: October 2 1622 Four-year-old martyr of Japan. He was beheaded in Nagasaki, Japan, with his mother, Blessed Lucy, and his brother Blessed Andrew. His father, Blessed Louis, was burned at the stake. He was beatified in 1867 Bl. Louis Shakichi Feastday: October 2 1622 Martyr of Japan, a layman who released Blessed Louis Flores from prison. Louis was burned alive in Nagasaki, and his wife and children were beheaded. He was beatified in 1867. Bl. Lucy Chakichi Feastday: October 2 1622 Martyr of Japan, the wife of Blessed Louis Chakichi. She was beheaded with her sons, Andrew and Francis, at Nagasaki, Japan. She was beatified in 1867.

St. Francis of St. Bonaventure Feastday: September 12 1622 Native-born martyr of Japan. He was from Musashi, in Kwanto province, Japan, and a convert, working as a catechist with Blessed Apollinaris Franco. Francis was burned alive at Omura and was beatified in 1867 Bl. Mancius of St. Thomas Feastday: September 12 Martyr of Japan. He was a native Japanese catechist, who was burned alive at Omura, Japan, with Blessed Thomas Zumarraga and companions. St. Peter Paul of St. Claire Feastday: September 12 1622 Japanese martyr. Born in Japan, he worked as an assistant to Blessed Apollinaris Franco and as a catechist prior to his arrest by Japanese authorities. Condemned to death, he was burned alive at Omura Bl. Peter Ikiemon Feastday: September 11 1622 Japanese martyr. Peter was seven when, with his father, Blessed Bartholomew, he was beheaded at Nagasaki. His feast day comes one day after two other young martyrs of Japan, Peter Nangashi and Peter Sanga Bl. Michael Fimonaya Feastday: Sept

Bl. Paul Navarro Feastday: November 1 1622 Martyr of Japan. A native of Laino, Cassano, Italy, Paul received an excellent education before becoming a Jesuit in 1587. He was sent to India where he was ordained, and subsequently went to Japan where he helped to build the rapidly growing Catholic community there, holding the post of superior. Arrested by Japanese authorities, he was burned alive at Shimabara along with two other Jesuits and an assistant. Blessed Paul Shinsuki was his catechist. Bl. Peter Onizuko Feastday: November 1 1622 Japanese martyr. A native of Arima, Japan, Peter was converted to Christianity and became a Jesuit postulant. With Blessed Paul Navarro, whom he assisted in his work, he was seized by Japanese authorities and burned alive at Shimabara. Bl. John Shoun Feastday: November 18 1619 Martyr of Japan. He was a Japanese from Meako and was baptized at Nagasaki. Seized for being a Christian, he was burned alive at Nagasaki and was beatified in 1867. St. Leonard Kim

Bl. Thomas Johnson Feastday: September 20 1537 English Carthusian martyr. A priest and member of the London Charterhouse, he was arrested with fellow monks for opposing the claim by King Henry VIII of spiritual supremacy over the English Church. Irnprisoned at Newgate,Thomas was starved to death Bl. William Way Feastday: September 23 1588 Martyr of England. Born in Exeter, England, he went to Reims, France, where he was ordained in 1586. Using the name Flower, William started his labors, but was arrested within six months. He was executed at Kingston-on-Thames by being hanged, drawn, and quartered.