Japanese Saints And Martyrs

St. Francis Nagasaki Feastday: February 6 Francis is a Japanese from Miako. He became a physician and later was converted to Catholicism by the Franciscan missionaries in Japan. He became a Franciscan tertiary, served as a catechist, and was one of the twenty-six Catholics crucified for their Faith near Nagasaki on February 5 during the persecution of Christians by the Taiko, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. They were all canonized as the martyrs of Japan in 1862. He is also known as Francis of Miako. His feast day is February 6th. St. Paul Miki Feastday: February 6 Paul was the son of a Japanese military leader. He was born at Tounucumada, Japan, was educated at the Jesuit college of Anziquiama, joined the Jesuits in 1580, and became known for his eloquent preaching. He was crucified on Februay 5 with twenty-five other Catholics during the persecution of Christians under the Taiko, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, ruler of Japan in the name of the emperor. Among the Japanese layment who suffered the same fate

St. Leo Karasuma Feastday: February 5 1597 Martyr of Japan and a Korean Franciscan tertiary. He was martyred in Nagasaki, Japan, receiving canonization in 1862. St. Louis Ibachi Feastday: February 5 1597 Martyr of Japan. A twelve year-old who served the Franciscan mission, Louis was crucified at Nagasaki, Japan, with twenty-five companions. He was canonized in 1867. St. Philip of Jesus Feastday: February 5 1597 Franciscan martyr in Japan. A Spaniard born in Mexico City, he entered the Franciscans at Puebla but then departed the order in 1589 to journey to the Philippines as a trader. In 1590, he repented and returned to the Franciscan fold. His superiors commanded him to sail back to Mexico to be ordained a priest and, while on the way, his ship was caught in a storm and driven into the waters of Japan. Landing in 1596, he was soon arrested and, with St. Peter Baptist, was put to death by crucifixion at Nagasaki. He was canonized in 1862.