St. Paul Miki and Companions’ Passion in Japan
St. Paul Miki and Companions is an inspiring story of devoted Catholics living in a time of severe persecution. They are a testament to Tertullian’s quote that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.
Even during the worst of moments where they had to hike hundreds of miles through winter forests and were severely mistreaded, they didn’t back down or deny their faith in Jesus.
Because of their courage an bravery, other Christians were extremely inspired and still are to this day.
St. Paul Miki Biography
Japanese Jesuit priest and martyr St. Paul Miki lived in the sixteenth century. In Japan, where practicing the Catholic faith was illegal and perilous, he was born in 1562 into a Catholic household. Paul was drawn to the faith despite the risks and became a Jesuit priest in 1580.
As a missionary, Paul was assigned to Nagasaki, Japan, where he shared the gospel with the locals. He was well renowned for his spiritual insight, bravery, and commitment to the underprivileged. He rose fast to become one of the Catholic Church’s most well-known and revered figures in Japan.
A new shogun in Japan initiated a harsh campaign on Christianity in 1597 after assuming power. Along with 25 other Catholic missionaries, Paul was detained and transported to Nagasaki for execution. Paul was crucified on February 5, 1597, along with the other martyrs. (FaithND)
Despite the brutality of his death, Paul’s tenacity and passion served as an example to many. His example aided in bolstering the religious convictions of Catholics in Japan and all across the world. Today, Catholics revere St. Paul Miki and Companions as a saints and commemorate him as one of the Church’s most significant martyrs.
A person who was prepared to give his life for their beliefs is St. Paul Miki and Companions. His bravery and devotion serve as an inspiration that individuals can still muster the will to cling to their convictions and stand up for what is just, even in the most trying circumstances. (FransiscanMedia.com)
When Was St. Paul Miki Born?
In a Catholic household in Japan, St. Paul Miki was born in 1562. He hailed from a Catholic family, which was unique at the time in Japan because the church was persecuted and dangerous to practice. Little else is known about his family history. Paul was drawn to the faith despite the risks and became a Jesuit priest in 1580.
Where Did St. Paul Miki Study to Become a Priest at?
In Japan, a Jesuit seminary was where St. Paul Miki pursued his priestly education. With the intention of advancing the Catholic religion and helping the underprivileged, the Society of Jesus, sometimes known as the Jesuits, was established in the sixteenth century. St. Paul Miki would have received training in both theology and spirituality at the seminary where he studied because Jesuits were renowned for their education and missionary activity. Paul was sent to work as a missionary in Nagasaki, Japan, after receiving his Jesuit priestly ordination.
What Year Did St. Paul Miki worked as Missionary?
Following his ordination as a Jesuit priest in 1580, St. Paul Miki engaged in missionary work in Nagasaki, Japan. It is unclear exactly when he began his missionary work in Nagasaki, but it is known that he rose to prominence and clout among Catholic Church leaders there very quickly. He shared the gospel with the Japanese people there and was praised for his spiritual insight, courage, and commitment to the underprivileged.
Where Are the Relics of St. Paul Miki?
In Nagasaki, Japan, at the Nagasaki Peace Park, are the remains of St. Paul Miki and Companions. The park was constructed close to the spot where 25 other Catholic victims, including St. Paul Miki and Companions, were crucified in 1597. Along with a museum that details their life and deaths, the park has statues of St. Paul Miki and Companions and the other martyrs.
The remains of St. Paul Miki and Companions are kept in a glass reliquary in the museum, where park visitors can view them. The artifacts serve as a representation of the strength of love and sacrifice to overcome even the biggest hurdles as well as a reminder of the sacrifices that these men made for their faith.
Other shrines and churches in Japan and other countries honor St. Paul Miki and Companions in addition to the Nagasaki Peace Park. These locations offer as evidence of their lasting influence and the effects they had on the Catholic Church and the rest of the world.
What are Other Things to See at Nagasaki Peace Park?
The Nagasaki Peace Park is a monument in Nagasaki, Japan, honoring those lost when the city was atomically bombed on August 9, 1945, during World War II. The park, which was constructed close to the bombing’s core, stands as a tribute to the destruction the attack inflicted and as a sign of hope for world peace.
There are many monuments and memorials in the park, including a sizable statue of the Virgin Mary, a peace fountain, and a tribute to the bombing victims. There is also a museum that documents the background of the attack and the subsequent initiatives to advance peace.
The Nagasaki Peace Park is a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world who come to pray for peace and to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in the bombing in addition to serving as a memorial to the victims of the attack. The park serves as a potent reminder of the terrible effects of war and the value of promoting international harmony and understanding.
Visitors to the Nagasaki Peace Park are welcome to take part in peace-themed events and activities, see lectures and exhibitions, and engage in silent, contemplative prayer and meditation. The park serves as an inspiring reminder to work for a more peaceful world and a potent symbol of optimism.
What are the Names of Some Other Japanese Martyrs?
During the 16th and 17th centuries, when Christianity was persecuted in Japan, a large number of Japanese people became martyrs and lost their lives in defense of their faith. Among the most famous Japanese martyrs are:
- St. Paul Miki and Companions
- St. Francis Xavier
- St. Peter Baptist
- St. John Goto
- St. James Kisai
- St. Philip of Jesus
- St. Thomas of Villanova
- St. Joseph of Besançon
- St. Aloysius Gonzaga
- St. Gabriel Lalemant
These saints and several more endured excruciating agony and sorrow in the name of their faith, and their examples continue to encourage and test Catholics all across the world. They will be remembered for their valor, fidelity to God, and unselfish love for others.
What are Some Inspiring Quotes by St. Paul Miki and Companions?
The quotes of the saints are so inspiring to me.
There are several quotes attributed to St. Paul Miki and his companions, who were among the first Christian martyrs in Japan. Here are a few:
- “More cruel than beasts, the Japanese have executed us for the sake of our religion.” – St. Paul Miki
- “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” – St. Paul Miki
- “I rejoice to suffer for the sake of Jesus, who suffered for me.” – St. Paul Miki
- “I am ready to shed my blood for my faith, but I will not renounce it.” – St. Paul Miki
- “It is better to die for the truth than to live a lie.” – St. Paul Miki
- “Our death is not the end, but a passage to a new and eternal life.” – St. Paul Miki
- “Let us be glad and rejoice, for we have a great reward in heaven.” – St. Paul Miki
The words of St. Paul Miki and his companions, who devoted their life as witnesses to the veracity of the Christian gospel, are indicative of their profound faith and unflinching dedication. Christians from across the world are still motivated and challenged by their teachings to live courageous, steadfast, and self-sacrificing lives.
Because I’m so inspired by the saints, I’ve put together a really cool shirt for you with one of my favorite quotes by St. Paul Miki and Companions.
These shirts are awesome because they give you a simple way to start a conversation about the saints and share the story of St. Paul Miki and Companions with your friends, family, or some random person you meet out and about. It also gives you an easy way to share the Gospel with them about how we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God but that Christ died once and for all to save us from our sins.
You can even invite them to church and help them get enrolled in the RCIA classes at your Church.
I’m praying for you about this! Below is the shirt. Just click on it. Choose your favorite color and size and then click on the BUY NOW button to be taken to the check out page.
St. Paul Miki and Companions Prayer
Here is a prayer to St. Paul Miki and Companions:
Dear St. Paul Miki and Companions,
You were brave witnesses of the faith in a time of persecution, choosing to give your lives for Jesus even in the face of brutal oppression. Your unwavering courage and devotion continue to inspire us today.
We ask for your intercession, that we may have the strength to follow your example and stand up for what is right, even in the face of difficulty. Help us to remain steadfast in our faith and to always put God first in our lives.
Through your intercession, may we come to understand the power of love and sacrifice, and may we be strengthened in our own spiritual journeys.
We ask for your guidance and protection, and pray that we may one day join you in heaven, where we will be reunited with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
St. Paul Miki Prayer as a Novena
A novena is a type of prayer that entails repeating a set of prayers for nine days straight, usually with the goal of requesting a particular grace or favor. The following is a short novena to Saint Paul Miki:
Day 1: Dear St. Paul Miki and Companions, you were a fearless witness of the faith in a time of persecution, choosing to give your life for Jesus even in the face of brutal oppression. We ask for your intercession as we begin this novena. Help us to always put God first in our lives and to remain steadfast in our faith, no matter the challenges we may face.
Days 2-8: Dear St. Paul Miki and Companions, we ask for your intercession and guidance as we continue this novena. Help us to understand the power of love and sacrifice, and to be strengthened in our own spiritual journeys. May we be guided by your example and have the courage to stand up for what is right, even in the face of difficulty.
Day 9: Dear St. Paul Miki and Companions, we give thanks for your example of courage and faith. We ask that you continue to pray for us and guide us on our spiritual journey. May we one day be reunited with you in heaven, where we will be in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
It is traditional to recite the same prayers each day of the novena, and to make an offering or perform some act of charity at the end of each day as a symbol of one’s commitment to the novena. The novena can be made in a variety of settings, including in private at home, in a church, or as part of a group of people who are all making the novena together.
Are You Inspired?
Are you inspired by what you’ve learned today? I love sharing the lives of the saints. Check out our blog HERE for more inspiring saints! For example, you can learn about the early Christian martyrs like Saints Felicity and Perpetua or a more contemporary saint like Saint John of God.
Did you know that you can join us every day as we learn about the Saint of the Day? Take a minute to sign up for my daily saint emails that I’ll send you delivered straight to your email inbox. I know people are busy so I keep it short and sweet but also very educational so you can live your life with the saints as I do.
Also, I give you a free screen saver for your phone as an added gift. Just fill in your details and I’ll send you your new screensaver so you can download it right away. Enjoy!
Well, that’s all for today.
I’ll see you back tomorrow with another Saint of the Day to inspire you!
God bless you,
-Priscilla
