MEMORIAL: FEBRUARY 6
St. Paul Miki was born in the 16th century and was the son of a wealthy military leader. The Jesuits under St. Francis Xavier, had brought Catholicism to Japan. As a result, thousands converted. St. Paul Miki entered the Church with his family and studied to become a Jesuit priest. However, there was much unrest between the Japanese government and the spread of Catholicism.
Upon the arrival of Franciscan missionaries at the end of the 16th century, persecutions broke out. Specifically: 26 Christians were chosen to be executed for their faith. They marched 600 miles to the town of Nagasaki where they were to be crucified. They were stopped in villages along the way and tortured in front of the people to discourage them from becoming Catholic. St. Paul Miki was among the 26, and they took the opportunity to preach and sing hymns of praise during their torture. Even from the cross, St. Paul and companions praised God and asked Him to forgive their persecutors. All 26 were lanced in their sides while enduring crucifixion resulting in their martyrdom.
