Memorial of Saint Paul Miki, martyr, and his companions, martyrs
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Readings for the day
http://www.usccb.org/nab/020606.shtml
Today Jesus continues to move about in a boat and I have to wonder what configuration and who did the actual sailing. (no stink boats back in his day). His ministry continues to grow and faith in him to spread. He said it so many times - "your faith has healed you."
I can imagine the progression - even if the folks around did not have faith in God but in the man Jesus because of what they had heard of him doing - more cures would be effected. It must have been an amazing ripple effect. Absolute belief can do incredible things. It can, as the Lord said "move mountains". It is a gift, however, and one many cannot accept.
Today the Church celebrates the life of a person whose faith allowed him to suffer a martyr’s death and his sacrifice leads so many others to the faith. It is truly amazing what one person's example of faith can accomplish. I wish I had more and could come to that absolute belief but until then I must continue to pray for it. As will be my custom, I have placed below a brief factoid about St. Paul Miki. More can be found on line in other places and in "Butler's Lives of Saints" (I am still trying to get someone close to be to buy me the 4 volume set.) Pax
PAUL MIKI
Memorial
6 February
Profile
Born wealthy, the son of the military leader Miki Handayu. Felt a call to religous life from his youth. Jesuit in 1580, educated at the Jesuit college at Azuchi and Takatsuki. Successful evangelist. When the political climate became hostile to Christianity, he decided to continue his ministry, was soon arrested. On his way to martydom, he and other imprisoned Christians were marched 600 miles so they could be abused by, and be a lesson to, their countrymen; they sang the Te Deum on the way. His last sermon was delivered from the cross. One of the Martyrs of Nagasaki.
Born
1562 at Tsunokuni, Japan
Died
crucified on 5 February 1597 at Nagasaki, Japan
Beatified
14 September 1627 by Pope Urban VIII
Canonized
8 June 1862 by Pope Pius IX
Reading
The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason that I die. I believe that I am telling the truth before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say to you all once again: Ask Christ to help you become happy. I obey Christ. After Christ's example, I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.
From an account of the martyrdom of Saint Paul Miki and his companions, by a contemporary writer
You shall be my witnesses
The crosses were set in place. Father Pasio and Father Rodriguez took turns encouraging the victims. Their steadfast behaviour was wonderful to see. The Father Bursar stood motionless, his eyes turned heavenward. Brother Martin gave thanks to God’s goodness by singing psalms. Again and again he repeated: “Into your hands, Lord, I entrust my life”. Brother Francis Branco also thanked God in a loud voice. Brother Gonsalvo in a very loud voice kept saying the Our Father and Hail Mary.
Our brother, Paul Miki, saw himself standing now in the noblest pulpit he had ever filled. To his “congregation” he began by proclaiming himself a Japanese and a Jesuit. He was dying for the Gospel he preached. He gave thanks to God for this wonderful blessing and he ended his “sermon” with these words: “As I come to this supreme moment of my life, I am sure none of you would suppose I want to deceive you. And so I tell you plainly: there is no way to be saved except the Christian way. My religion teaches me to pardon my enemies and all who have offended me. I do gladly pardon the Emperor and all who have sought my death. I beg them to seek baptism and be Christians themselves”.
Then he looked at his comrades and began to encourage them in their final struggle. Joy glowed in all their faces, and in Louis’ most of all. When a Christian in the crowd cried out to him that he would soon be in heaven, his hands, his whole body strained upward with such joy that every eye was fixed on him.
Anthony, hanging at Louis’ side, looked toward heaven and called upon the holy names – “Jesus, Mary!” He began to sing a psalm: “Praise the Lord, you children!” (He learned it in catechism class in Nagasaki. They take care there to teach the children some psalms to help them learn their catechism).
Others kept repeating “Jesus, Mary!” Their faces were serene. Some of them even took to urging the people standing by to live worthy Christian lives. In these and other ways they showed their readiness to die.
Then, according to Japanese custom, the four executioners began to unsheathe their spears. At this dreadful sight, all the Christians cried out, “Jesus, Mary!” And the storm of anguished weeping then rose to batter the very skies. The executioners killed them one by one. One thrust of the spear, then a second blow. It was over in a very short time.
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Readings for the day
http://www.usccb.org/nab/020606.shtml
Today Jesus continues to move about in a boat and I have to wonder what configuration and who did the actual sailing. (no stink boats back in his day). His ministry continues to grow and faith in him to spread. He said it so many times - "your faith has healed you."
I can imagine the progression - even if the folks around did not have faith in God but in the man Jesus because of what they had heard of him doing - more cures would be effected. It must have been an amazing ripple effect. Absolute belief can do incredible things. It can, as the Lord said "move mountains". It is a gift, however, and one many cannot accept.
Today the Church celebrates the life of a person whose faith allowed him to suffer a martyr’s death and his sacrifice leads so many others to the faith. It is truly amazing what one person's example of faith can accomplish. I wish I had more and could come to that absolute belief but until then I must continue to pray for it. As will be my custom, I have placed below a brief factoid about St. Paul Miki. More can be found on line in other places and in "Butler's Lives of Saints" (I am still trying to get someone close to be to buy me the 4 volume set.) Pax
PAUL MIKI
Memorial
6 February
Profile
Born wealthy, the son of the military leader Miki Handayu. Felt a call to religous life from his youth. Jesuit in 1580, educated at the Jesuit college at Azuchi and Takatsuki. Successful evangelist. When the political climate became hostile to Christianity, he decided to continue his ministry, was soon arrested. On his way to martydom, he and other imprisoned Christians were marched 600 miles so they could be abused by, and be a lesson to, their countrymen; they sang the Te Deum on the way. His last sermon was delivered from the cross. One of the Martyrs of Nagasaki.
Born
1562 at Tsunokuni, Japan
Died
crucified on 5 February 1597 at Nagasaki, Japan
Beatified
14 September 1627 by Pope Urban VIII
Canonized
8 June 1862 by Pope Pius IX
Reading
The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the doctrine of Christ. I thank God it is for this reason that I die. I believe that I am telling the truth before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say to you all once again: Ask Christ to help you become happy. I obey Christ. After Christ's example, I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow men as a fruitful rain.
From an account of the martyrdom of Saint Paul Miki and his companions, by a contemporary writer
You shall be my witnesses
The crosses were set in place. Father Pasio and Father Rodriguez took turns encouraging the victims. Their steadfast behaviour was wonderful to see. The Father Bursar stood motionless, his eyes turned heavenward. Brother Martin gave thanks to God’s goodness by singing psalms. Again and again he repeated: “Into your hands, Lord, I entrust my life”. Brother Francis Branco also thanked God in a loud voice. Brother Gonsalvo in a very loud voice kept saying the Our Father and Hail Mary.
Our brother, Paul Miki, saw himself standing now in the noblest pulpit he had ever filled. To his “congregation” he began by proclaiming himself a Japanese and a Jesuit. He was dying for the Gospel he preached. He gave thanks to God for this wonderful blessing and he ended his “sermon” with these words: “As I come to this supreme moment of my life, I am sure none of you would suppose I want to deceive you. And so I tell you plainly: there is no way to be saved except the Christian way. My religion teaches me to pardon my enemies and all who have offended me. I do gladly pardon the Emperor and all who have sought my death. I beg them to seek baptism and be Christians themselves”.
Then he looked at his comrades and began to encourage them in their final struggle. Joy glowed in all their faces, and in Louis’ most of all. When a Christian in the crowd cried out to him that he would soon be in heaven, his hands, his whole body strained upward with such joy that every eye was fixed on him.
Anthony, hanging at Louis’ side, looked toward heaven and called upon the holy names – “Jesus, Mary!” He began to sing a psalm: “Praise the Lord, you children!” (He learned it in catechism class in Nagasaki. They take care there to teach the children some psalms to help them learn their catechism).
Others kept repeating “Jesus, Mary!” Their faces were serene. Some of them even took to urging the people standing by to live worthy Christian lives. In these and other ways they showed their readiness to die.
Then, according to Japanese custom, the four executioners began to unsheathe their spears. At this dreadful sight, all the Christians cried out, “Jesus, Mary!” And the storm of anguished weeping then rose to batter the very skies. The executioners killed them one by one. One thrust of the spear, then a second blow. It was over in a very short time.
posted by Deacon Jim | 1:09 PM
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